Formula 1 - 1978 - Round 7 - Spanish GP

Conditions were cooler on raceday, with cloudy skies blocking out the worst of the early Summer sun without bringing a threat of rain.[2] The pre-race warm-up passed without issue ahead of the long programme of pre-race entertainment, including a presentation of the Grand Prix drivers to King Juan Carlos I of Spain to celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Real Automóvil Club de España.[2] Once that was done the field assembled on the grid for the start, with the ominous black-gold Lotus cars expected to dominate the moment the starter's lights flashed to green at 4:00pm.[2]