Throughout the summer of 1980 the Formula 1 title battle raged between Alan Jones and Nelson Piquet. Ligier also showed excellent form while Renault’s turbo cars proved fast but fragile.
Laffite Wins German Grand Prix
There was a sombre mood in the Formula 1 paddock at Hockenheim, following the death of Patrick Depailler. Jones started from pole but it was Jean-Pierre Jabouille’s Renault which set the pace initially, before retiring with engine failure. Jones eventually finished third, behind the other Williams of Carlos Reutemann and race winner Jacques Laffite. Bruno Giacomelli finished a brave fifth on the circuit where his team-mate had died just days previously.
Jabouille and Renault Win Austrian Formula 1 Race
Jabouille’s luck finally turned at the Austrian Grand Prix, where his Renault held together for the duration. Williams continued to score important points, with Jones second and Reutemann third. Piquet had a disappointing weekend, only coming home fifth in his Brabham.
Piquet Victorious at Zandvoort and Imola
Renault dominated qualifying at Zandvoort, with Arnoux on pole ahead of Jabouille. At the start, however, Jones outfoxed both of them. Starting from fourth the Australian led by the exit of turn one. His lead was short lived, as Jones pitted at the end of the first lap with damaged ground-effect skirts. Piquet quickly assumed the lead and went on to score his maiden Formula 1 victory. Arnoux finished second with Laffite’s Ligier third, while Jones finished out of the points.
The Italian Grand Prix was held at Imola in 1980, instead of its usual home at Monza. Ferrari tried their new turbo engine in practice but it was not a happy weekend for the team. Jody Scheckter suffered a huge accident in practice on the approach to the Tosa corner. Gilles Villeneuve went off at the same place in the race, the impact leaving the French-Canadian temporarily blinded. Piquet scored his second consecutive win, taking the championship points lead from Jones who finished second. Reutemann stormed through from the back of the field to finish third.
Jones Wins Formula 1 World Championship
The 1980 Formula 1 title was decided in Montreal, where a first corner collision between championship protagonists Jones and Piquet forced a re-start. Piquet, driving his spare Brabham, led before retiring. Jones won the race, and with it the title. Reutemann finished second on a great day for Williams, with Pironi third after incurring a one minute penalty.
The 1980 season ended with the US Grand Prix East at Watkins Glen. Giacomelli was the surprise of qualifying, putting his Alfa-Romeo on pole. The young Italian led the race comfortably until an electrical problem put him out. Piquet, who had been lying second, also retired. Victory went to newly crowned champion Jones, with Reutemann again second and Pironi’s Ligier third. He had pushed Jones hard all season, but Piquet’s time would come in 1981.
