The very high speed Hockenheimring favored more powerful turbocharged engines, and was expected to be a circuit suited to Renault.

[citation needed] In qualifying, Jones managed to beat Renault driver Jean-Pierre Jabouille to the pole by four-hundredths of a second, with an average speed of 231 km/h (144 mph).

They were followed by René Arnoux in the other Renault, Jones's Argentine teammate Carlos Reutemann, French driver Jacques Laffite, Brazilian Nelson Piquet (Brabham), Frenchman Didier Pironi (Ligier), and Finn Keke Rosberg in a Fittipaldi.

Both Renaults suffered engine failures within a lap of each other leaving Jones to lead until he made a pitstop following a tyre puncture after the second chicane, dropping him behind Laffite and Reutemann.

In his 100th race start, West German driver Jochen Mass finished eighth in his Arrows, behind Mario Andretti (Lotus).