The opening five races of the 1980 Formula 1 season saw four different winners from four different teams. The championship battle was between Alan Jones, Nelson Piquet and René Arnoux.
Reutemann Wins Chaotic Monaco Grand Prix
With only 20 cars allowed to start the Monaco Grand Prix qualifying was a fraught affair. John Watson was a high profile victim, failing to make the cut in his McLaren. Didier, winner of the previous race in Belgium, claimed pole and led early on from Alan Jones in the Williams. The first corner saw Derek Daly trigger a spectacular accident when he rammed Bruno Giacomelli’s Alfa-Romeo. Daly’s Tyrrell became airborne, eventually landing on his hapless team-mate Jean-Pierre Jarier, fortunately without causing injury. Both Pironi and Jones eventually retired, gifting the win to Carlos Reutemann’s Williams. Jacque Laffite’s Ligier finished second with Nelson Piquet’s Brabham third. The irrepressible Gilles Villeneuve somehow managed to drag his Ferrari round to finish fifth.
The Spanish Grand Prix was scheduled to take place after Monaco but the fierce political war being fought within Formula 1 at the time saw it declared a non-championship event. The major constructors (Ferrari, Renault and Alfa-Romeo), who sided with the governing body FISA, refused to take part, leaving it to the smaller Ford-powered teams who supported FOCA, with Bernie Ecclestone as their spokesman.
Jones Wins French and British Formula 1 Races
Everyone was present for the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard. Ligier had steadily been improving as the 1980 season progressed and Laffite was fastest in qualifying. He led the race from Arnoux, before Pironi in the other Ligier relieved the Renault driver of second place. Despite their pace neither Ligier driver could hold off a charging Jones, who won for Williams. Pironi finished second and Laffite third.
Ligier set the pace again during qualifying for the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, with Pironi on pole ahead of team-mate Laffite. Once again the French outfit was denied victory, with wheel problems eliminating both cars. This left the way clear for Jones to score another victory in his Williams. Piquet kept up the pressure on the Australian in their championship battle by finishing second, with Reutemann’s Williams third.
Before the next Grand Prix in Germany Formula 1 suffered a terrible loss when Alfa-Romeo driver Patrick Depailler lost his life while testing at Hockenheim. The ridiculous forces imposed on a car’s suspension by the ground-effect technology of the era resulted in a catastrophic failure. Depailler was a seasoned and tough competitor, having won two Grands Prix during his career.
1980 Formula 1 season review continues here.
