n 1976, the 10th round of the Formula 1 World Championship was held in Germany. The race took place on August 1 at the Nürburgring track in West Germany.

On the second lap, Lauda lost control at the Bergwerk corner and flew off the track. The car hit the barrier, burst into flames and flew back onto the track, where Harald Ertl and Brett Lunger crashed into it. Both of these drivers immediately abandoned their cars and rushed to pull Lauda out of the fire, where they were joined by Guy Edwards and Arturo Merzario, who had stopped their cars. Lauda was sent to hospital with severe head burns and smoke inhalation, and the race was stopped.