Kojima Engineering entered a locally built chassis for Masahiro Hasemi (on Dunlop tyres).

Heading into the final race of the season it was Niki Lauda who led the World Drivers' Championship by three points ahead of James Hunt.

Then came John Watson in the Penske, Jody Scheckter, Carlos Pace, Clay Regazzoni and Vittorio Brambilla.

There were intense debates as to whether the race should be started; in the end the organisers decided to go ahead and a majority of drivers did not disagree.

On the second lap Watson slid down an escape road and Lauda drove into the pits to withdraw, as he believed the weather conditions made the track too dangerous.

Jochen Mass moved into second before crashing on the 36th lap just before turn 7, promoting Patrick Depailler into the position with Andretti third.

Andretti's victory was his second in Formula One, coming five years, seven months and 18 days after his maiden win at the 1971 South African Grand Prix.