Alain Prost led the World Championship comfortably by the time of the 1983 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, but the Renault driver would soon come under pressure from Nelson Piquet and Brabham. He felt his Renault team did not take the threat from Brabham seriously and feared that their lack of development could cost him the title.
Arnoux Leads Ferrari 1-2 at Zandvoort
A turbocharged McLaren finally appeared at the Dutch Grand Prix. Niki Lauda was entrusted with the TAG engined machine. Although 19th position on the grid and an early retirement from the race with brake trouble was nothing to shout about, the team would soon iron out the problems and become a serious force in Formula 1.
Pole position went the way of Piquet and Brabham, with Patrick Tambay second fastest. Elio De Angelis started from third in his Renault powered Lotus and championship leader Prost was fourth for Renault.
At the start Piquet held the lead, but was surprised to see Eddie Cheever in his mirrors, the Renault driver having shot through to second place from 12th on the grid. Prost was soon in second position and Cheever was also passed by Riccardo Patrese and René Arnoux. The Ferrari driver then proceeded to pass Patrese as well.
At the front, title protagonists Piquet and Prost collided, ending both of their races. This left Arnoux in the lead from Patrese and Tambay. When Patrese’s turbo failed Tambay moved into second, and stayed there until the end to complete a Ferrari 1-2. John Watson came through to finish third for McLaren, ahead of Toleman’s Derek Warwick. Mauro Baldi was fifth for Alfa Romeo and sixth place went to Michele Alboreto in his Tyrrell.
Piquet Wins Italian Grand Prix at Monza
Patrese started from pole at Monza, but only led his home race briefly before retiring with a BMW engine failure. This promoted his team-mate Piquet to first position and the Brazilian was never headed. His title rival Prost had a disastrous event, retiring his Renault with turbo failure. Arnoux gave the loyal tifosi something to cheer by bringing his Ferrari home in second place. Cheever was third in his Renault, with Tambay fourth in the other Ferrari. Lotus driver De Angelis finished his home race in fifth position, while Warwick once again finished in a points position in the Toleman in sixth place. The result helped Piquet close up on Prost in the standings, with only two races remaining.
1983 F1 review continues here.
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