The unreflected life is not worth living

Many aspects of a car are negotiable. However, 99.9% are likely to agree on the fact that a car has four wheels. However, not everyone sees it that way. From time to time, vehicles with a different number of wheels appear. Vehicles such as the iconic "three wheeler" from Morgan may test the limits of the concept - but there are always genuine automobiles in the six-wheeled segment. The six-wheel AMG version of the G-Class was probably the most media-effective in this respect. But there was also a time when six-wheel racing cars were even used in Formula 1. In the late 1970s, for example, the Tyrrell P34 caused a stir.

The P34 was developed by Derek Gardner for the Tyrrell team, which no longer existed. Tyrrell was quite successful in the 1970s and even won the world championship title three times with the legendary Sir Jackie Stewart.

You may now be asking yourself: "Why does a Formula 1 car only need six wheels?" A good question, the answer to which can be found in the rules in place at the time. According to the rules, the maximum permitted width of the front spoiler at the time was 1.5 metres. As a result, the tyres of all other racing cars protruded out to the side. Gardner now wanted to hide the tyres completely behind the spoiler, which he hoped would improve aerodynamics. However, this was only possible with comparatively small tyres. However, two small wheels were not enough to achieve decent performance in the bends, which is why the number of wheels was doubled on both sides - the "Six Wheeler" was born.

Many experts assumed it was a PR stunt and doubted they would ever see the P34 on the racetrack. They were wrong - the P34 was used for two full seasons in Formula 1 and even won a race in 1976 thanks to the exceptionally talented South African Jody Scheckter! However, this did not stop Scheckter from describing the car as a "pile of rubbish". To be fair, Jody Scheckter was notorious in his early years for his impetuous character and risky driving style. Over the years, Scheckter evolved and became more level-headed in his driving style. His maturity and understanding of the sport grew, which ultimately helped him to win the world championship title.

Zürick became a "six wheeler". The P34 definitely caused a stir. Other teams also began to experiment with six-wheeled designs. Even the big Scuderia Ferrari tested such a vehicle with the 312T6, which had the four wheels on the rear axle. However, it was never used in a race.

What does this brief anecdote in the history of Formula 1 sport tell us? Even if it can be forgotten in the current era of entertainment, Instagram followers, advertising dollars and "drive to survive", Formula 1 is actually every engineer's dream, where you can pursue a crazy idea as long as it promises just a tiny advantage.

But this story also has a philosophical level. Understanding and progress often require us to swim against the tide and embrace the unknown. "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards." (S?ren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher, 1813 -1855).