Well before the end of the 1977 season, Niki Lauda reached an agreement with Bernie Ecclestone to become the lead driver for the Parmalat Racing Brabham team, relegating British driver John Watson to the second seat. With this lineup and the number 1 finally back on the nose of the English team’s cars from Chessington, Surrey, the 1978 championship began. The team started the season using the Brabham BT45C, a direct evolution of the BT45B, while awaiting the new car designed by Gordon Murray.
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| BRABHAM BT46, John Watson Jarama, Spanish GP 1978 |
The BT45C featured several modifications compared to its predecessor: the "snowplow" nose was made slimmer, new radiators were adopted, and the cooling system was redesigned, this had been the main cause of engine failures for the Alfa Romeo unit in the previous season. Despite being a transitional car, the BT45C proved immediately competitive, allowing Lauda to secure two podium finishes in the first two races. The car was also tested at the Paul Ricard circuit by former champion Jackie Stewart, who was favorably impressed, particularly praising the power and smoothness of the Alfa Romeo V12 designed by Italian engineer Carlo Chiti, as well as the quality of the gearbox developed directly by Brabham from a Hewland unit.
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| BRABHAM BT45C, Niki Lauda Buenos Aires, Argentinian GP 1978 |
Starting from the third race of the season, the new Brabham BT46 made its debut, emphasizing Gordon Murray's signature wedge shape to improve aerodynamics, with very sloping and straight sidepods. The "snowplow" nose disappeared, replaced by a more conventional front end with two side wings housing the radiators. The engine cover was practically nonexistent due to the flat-12 configuration of the 500-horsepower Alfa Romeo 115-12, which allowed for a completely flat surface behind the driver.
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| BRABHAM BT46, Niki Lauda Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1978 |
Mid-season, at the Swedish Grand Prix in Anderstorp, the BT46B version debuted, famous for its rear-mounted fan, which eliminated the need for front wing-mounted radiators. After the FIA decided to ban the BT46B, a "C" version was introduced from the following race, removing the controversial fan but relocating the radiators to the rear section of the sidepods. Thanks to the improved cooling system provided by the updated radiators, Murray permanently solved the Alfa Romeo engine's reliability issues, allowing Lauda and Watson to compete on equal footing with the best cars of the season.
BRABHAM BT46, Niki Lauda
Brands Hatch, British GP 1978
Brabham scored 53 points in 1978, with 2 wins, 3 second places, and 3 third places, enabling Lauda to finish fourth in the drivers' standings. In the final two races of the season in North America, a third official BT46 was fielded by the Brabham team to give a promising young Brazilian driver, Nelson Piquet, his debut.
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