Against the form book, the opening two races of the 1983 Formula 1 season were both won by normally aspirated cars. Keke Rosberg took victory for Williams in Brazil and John Watson drove an inspired race at Long Beach to win in a McLaren. The third round of the championship was the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard.
Prost and Renault Win French Grand Prix
Alain Prost and Renault enjoyed a perfect weekend at their home race. Starting on pole and winning comfortably. His team-mate, Eddie Cheever, also made it onto the podium in third. In between the Renault drivers was Nelson Piquet’s Brabham, the Brazilian having made up four places from his starting position. Riccardo Patrese looked strong in the other Brabham, but retired from the race with a BMW engine failure. Patrick Tambay claimed fourth place for Ferrari, with Rosberg fifth and his Williams team-mate Jacques Laffite sixth.
Tambay Scores Emotional Win in San Marino Grand Prix
The gods were smiling on Tambay and Ferrari at Imola. In the same race 12 months previously Gilles Villeneuve started his final Grand Prix from third on the grid in a number 27 Ferrari. He was duped by his team-mate Didier Pironi, who sneaked past to win against team orders while Villeneuve was trying to save fuel. Two weeks later Villeneuve crashed to his death during qualifying at Zolder.
Fittingly, Tambay also qualified his number 27 Ferrari third fastest, but he faced major opposition from Brabham. Piquet was quickly out of the equation, as he stalled at the start, but late in the race it looked as though Patrese would win. Then, to the immense satisfaction of the tifosi, Patrese crashed out. This left Tambay to cruise to the flag, well ahead of Prost. René Arnoux was third in the other Ferrari, Rosberg fourth, Watson fifth and Marc Surer sixth.
Rosberg Peerless in Monaco Grand Prix
The story of qualifying at Monaco was the failure of both McLaren drivers to qualify. After a disastrous Thursday spent circulating on unsuitable tyres it rained on Saturday, relegating Niki Lauda and Watson to spectators. Prost started from pole, but it was Rosberg who made the best getaway. From fifth on the grid he shot through to second place. On a damp track he opted for slicks, and it proved to be the correct choice. Rosberg swiftly dispatched of Prost and ran away with the race.
Derek Warwick fancied third place, but made a mess of passing Surer’s Arrows, leading to the retirement of both drivers. Piquet finished second in his Brabham, but a long way behind Rosberg. Prost was third for Renault and Tambay fourth in the Ferrari. In sixth was Danny Sullivan’s Tyrrell, with the final point going to Alfa Romeo driver Mauro Baldi.
1983 Formula 1 season review continues.
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