Since the FIA had decided that the fan technology used by Brabham on the BT46B cars at the Swedish Grand Prix was not compatible with the applicable rules, the team had to fall back on the conventional BT46 from now on.
Watson was initially able to defend his top position briefly against Andretti, but by the end of the first lap the American was in the lead and began to pull away. Tambay followed in front of Lauda, Peterson and Hunt.
Lauda fought his way past Tambay and Watson during the following laps, but retired on lap 10 due to an engine failure. From then on, Peterson, who had also overtaken Tambay and Watson, took second place and, after the successes in Belgium and Spain, gave the Lotus team the third double victory of the year. Watson was able to maintain third place until lap 16, but was then overtaken by Hunt. Behind it followed Alan Jones in front of Jody Scheckter . This order of the first six remained unchanged from the 17th lap to the finish.