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The 1979 Formula One season, alternately known as the 1979 FIA Formula One World Championship, was the 30th season of World Championship racing organised by the FIA to the Formula One rulebook. 1979 proved to be a season of intrigue and a changing of the guard, with former Champions retiring, new manufacturers arriving, and FISA and FOCA drawing battle lines as they continued to fight for control over the series.

Mario Andretti would start the season as the defending drivers' Champion, while his team, Lotus-Ford Cosworth campaigned as the defending holders of the International Cup for Constructors.[1] They duly started the 1979 season as the favourites having introduced the concept of ground-effect to Formula One, with fifteen races scheduled between January and October.[2]

However, the opening round in Argentina underlined how far the ground-effect revolution had come, for Ligier racer Jacques Laffite swept to victory, the first for himself and the French constructor.[2] The Frenchman duly made it two from two with pole, victory and fastest lap in Brazil, before Gilles Villeneuve claimed victory at the following two rounds.[3]

Patrick Depailler was the next winner of the season, claiming the honours in Spain, followed by two victories for Jody Scheckter.[4] Indeed, the South African ace would make his bid for the Championship with a series of strong finishes across the first half of the season, with Villeneuve, Laffite and Depailler all failing to register major points if they failed to win.[4]

The second half of the season would see the rise of Renault and Williams, with Jean-Pierre Jabouille claiming a historic victory for Renault at their home race at Dijon Prenois.[5] Clay Regazzoni was the next winner, before Alan Jones went on a run of three consecutive victories, although Scheckter's consistent scoring ensured that the Australian was too far back to challenge for the crown.[6]

Indeed, Scheckter and Ferrari would secure their crowns at the 1979 Italian Grand Prix, with the South African sweeping to victory ahead of teammate Villeneuve.[7] The Canadian ace then enjoyed a race long battle with Jones for victory on his home soil, with Jones ultimately emerging ahead, before ending the season with victory at the season finale at Watkins Glen.[8]

Outside of the fight for the Championship there would be sweeping changes at McLaren, a complete collapse from Lotus, and the return of Alfa Romeo. Niki Lauda would also call time on his F1 career, although would ultimately return in 1982, as did 1976 Champion James Hunt at Le Mans legend Jacky Ickx.

Background[]

Teams and Drivers[]

Constructor Chassis Tyre No. Driver Rounds
Team Engine
Lotus-Ford Cosworth 79
80
G 1 United States Mario Andretti All
United Kingdom Martini Racing Team Lotus Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 2 Argentina Carlos Reutemann All
Tyrrell-Ford Cosworth 009 G 3 France Didier Pironi All
United Kingdom Team Tyrrell
United Kingdom Candy Team Tyrrell
Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 4 France Jean-Pierre Jarier 1–9, 12–15
4 United Kingdom Geoff Lees 11
4
33
Ireland Derek Daly 11, 14–15
Brabham-Alfa Romeo
Brabham-Ford Cosworth
BT46
BT48
BT49
G 5 Austria Niki Lauda 1–13
United Kingdom Parmalat Racing Team Alfa Romeo 115-12 3.0 F12
Alfa Romeo 1260 3.0 V12
Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8
5 Argentina Ricardo Zunino 14–15
6 Brazil Nelson Piquet All
McLaren-Ford Cosworth M26
M28
M28B
M28C
M29
G 7 United Kingdom John Watson All
United Kingdom Marlboro Team McLaren
United Kingdom Löwenbräu Team McLaren
Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 8 France Patrick Tambay All
ATS-Ford Cosworth D2
D3
G 9 West Germany Hans-Joachim Stuck All
West Germany ATS Wheels Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8
Ferrari 312T3
312T4
M 11 South Africa Jody Scheckter All
Italy Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 12 Canada Jacques Villeneuve All
Fittipaldi-Ford Cosworth F5A
F6
F6A
G 14 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi All
Brazil Fittipaldi Automotive Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 19 Brazil Alex Ribeiro 14–15
Renault RS01
RS10
M 15 France Jean-Pierre Jabouille All
France Equipe Renault Elf Renault EF1 1.6 V6t 16 France René Arnoux All
Shadow-Ford Cosworth DN9 G 17 Netherlands Jan Lammers All
United Kingdom Samson Shadow Racing Team
United Kingdom Interscope Shadow Racing Team
Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 18 Italy Elio de Angelis All
Wolf-Ford Cosworth WR7
WR8
WR9
G 20 United Kingdom James Hunt 1–7
Canada Olympus Cameras Wolf Racing Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 20 Finland Keke Rosberg 8–15
Ensign-Ford Cosworth N177
N179
G 22 Ireland Derek Daly 1–7
United Kingdom Team Ensign Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 22 France Patrick Gaillard 8–12
22 Switzerland Marc Surer 13–15
Merzario-Ford Cosworth A1B
A2
A4
G 24 Italy Arturo Merzario 1–6, 8–15
Italy Team Merzario Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 24 Italy Gianfranco Brancatelli 7
Ligier-Ford Cosworth JS11 G 25 France Patrick Depailler 1–7
France Ligier Gitanes Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 25 Belgium Jacky Ickx 8–15
26 France Jacques Laffite All
Williams-Ford Cosworth FW06
FW07
G 27 Australia Alan Jones All
United Kingdom Albilad-Saudia Racing Team Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 28 Switzerland Clay Regazzoni All
Arrows-Ford Cosworth A1
A2
G 29 Italy Riccardo Patrese All
United Kingdom Warsteiner Arrows Racing Team Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 30 West Germany Jochen Mass All
Lotus-Ford Cosworth
Rebaque-Ford Cosworth
79
HR100
G 31 Mexico Héctor Rebaque 1–6, 8–15
Mexico Team Rebaque Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8
Alfa Romeo 177
179
G 35 Italy Bruno Giacomelli 6, 8, 13, 15
Italy Autodelta Alfa Romeo 115-12 3.0 F12
Alfa Romeo 1260 3.0 V12
36 Italy Vittorio Brambilla 13–15
Kauhsen-Ford Cosworth WK G 36 Italy Gianfranco Brancatelli 5–6
West Germany Willi Kauhsen Racing Team Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8

Driver changes[]

Team changes[]

Calendar[]

The calendar for the 1979 World Championship tour would follow the 1978 almost identically, with some minor revisions and a late cancellation. The biggest change would be a swap between Spain and Monaco, with the latter moving to late May, while the 1979 Swedish Grand Prix was cancelled in early June after failing to secure funding. The second half of the season was then identical to how it had been in 1978, albeit with the season finale switching back to Watkins Glen.

World Championship Schedule[]

Outlined below is the full calendar for the 1979 FIA Formula One World Championship:

Round Grand Prix Date
1 Argentina Argentine Grand Prix 21 January
Autódromo Oscar y Juan Gálvez Circuito N° 15
Official Title XV Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina
Circuit Autódromo Municipal Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Location Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina
Lap distance 5.968 km (3.708 mi)
Race distance 316.304 km (196.542 mi)
Date 21 January Laps 53
Local time 14:00 BACF UTC 11:00
2 Brazil Brazilian Grand Prix 4 February
Interlagos 1973
Official Title VIII Grande Premio do Brasil
Circuit Autódromo do Interlagos
Location Brazil São Paulo, Brazil
Lap distance 7.874 km (4.893 mi)
Race distance 314.96 km (195.707 mi)
Date 4 February Laps 40
Local time 14:00 BRT UTC 17:00
3 South Africa South African Grand Prix 3 March
South Africa
Official Title XXV Simba Grand Prix of South Africa
Circuit Kyalami
Location South Africa Gauteng, South Africa
Lap distance 4.104 km (2.550 mi)
Race distance 320.112 km (198.908 mi)
Date 3 March Laps 78
Local time 14:00 SAST UTC 12:00
4 Long Beach United States Grand Prix West 8 April
Long Beach 1978
Official Title V Lubri Lon Grand Prix of Long Beach
Circuit Long Beach street circuit
Location United States Long Beach, California, United States
Lap distance 3.251 km (2.020 mi)
Race distance 260.08 km (161.606 mi)
Date 8 April Laps 80
Local time 14:00 PST UTC 22:00
5 Spain Spanish Grand Prix 29 April
Circuito Permanente del Jarama 1980
Official Title XXV Gran Premio de España
Circuit Circuito del Jarama
Location Spain Jarama, Spain
Lap distance 3.404 km (2.115 mi)
Race distance 255.3 km (158.636 mi)
Date 29 April Laps 75
Local time 14:00 CEST UTC 12:00
6 Belgium Belgian Grand Prix 13 May
Circuit Zolder-1975-1985
Official Title XXXVII Grote Prijs van Belgie
Circuit Zolder
Location Belgium Heusden-Zolder, Limburg, Belgium
Lap distance 4.262 km (2.648 mi)
Race distance 298.34 km (185.380 mi)
Date 13 May Laps 70
Local time 14:00 CEST UTC 12:00
7 Monaco Monaco Grand Prix 27 May
Circuit de Monaco 1976
Official Title XXXVII Grand Prix Automobile de Monaco
Circuit Circuit de Monaco
Location Monaco Monte Carlo, Monaco
Lap distance 3.312 km (2.058 mi)
Race distance 251.712 km (156.407 mi)
Date 27 May Laps 76
Local time 14:00 CEST UTC 12:00
8 France French Grand Prix 1 July
Dijon-Prenois1977
Official Title LXV Grand Prix de France
Circuit Dijon-Prenois
Location France Dijon, France
Lap distance 3.801 km (2.362 mi)
Race distance 304.08 km (188.947 mi)
Date 1 July Laps 80
Local time 14:00 CEST UTC 12:00
9 United Kingdom British Grand Prix 14 July
Silverstone1975
Official Title XXXII Marlboro British Grand Prix
Circuit Silverstone
Location United Kingdom Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Lap distance 4.719 km (2.932 mi)
Race distance 320.892 km (199.393 mi)
Date 14 July Laps 68
Local time 15:00 BST UTC 14:00
10 West Germany German Grand Prix 29 July
Circuit Hockenheimring-1970
Official Title XLI Großer Preis von Deutschland
Circuit Hockenheimring
Location West Germany Hockenheim, Baden-Württemburg, West Germany
Lap distance 6.789 km (4.218 mi)
Race distance 305.505 km (189.832 mi)
Date 29 July Laps 45
Local time 14:00 CEST UTC 12:00
11 Austria Austrian Grand Prix 12 August
Österreichring1977
Official Title XVII Großer Preis von Österreich
Circuit Österreichring
Location Austria Spielburg, Styria, Austria
Lap distance 5.941 km (3.692 mi)
Race distance 320.814 km (199.345 mi)
Date 12 August Laps 54
Local time 14:00 CEST UTC 12:00
12 Netherlands Dutch Grand Prix 26 August
Zandvoort 1979
Official Title XXVI Grote Prijs van Nederland
Circuit Circuit Zandvoort
Location Netherlands Zandvoort, Netherlands
Lap distance 4.252 km (2.642 mi)
Race distance 318.9 km (198.155 mi)
Date 26 August Laps 75
Local time 14:00 CEST UTC 12:00
13 Italy Italian Grand Prix 9 September
Monza 1976
Official Title L Gran Premio d'Italia
Circuit Autodromo Nazionale Monza
Location Italy Monza, Lombardy, Italy
Lap distance 5.800 km (3.604 mi)
Race distance 290 km (180.198 mi)
Date 9 September Laps 50
Local time 14:00 CEST UTC 12:00
14 Canada Canadian Grand Prix 30 September
Gilles Villeneuve Circuit Montreal (78-86)
Official Title XVIII Grand Prix du Canada
Circuit Circuit Île Notre-Dame
Location Canada Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Lap distance 4.410 km (2.740 mi)
Race distance 317.52 km (197.298 mi)
Date 30 September Laps 72
Local time 14:00 EDT UTC 18:00
15 United States United States Grand Prix 7 October
Watkins Glen 1975-1983
Official Title 22nd Grand Prix of the United States
Circuit Watkins Glen
Location United States Watkins Glen, New York State, United States
Lap distance 5.435 km (3.377 mi)
Race distance 320.665 km (199.252 mi)
Date 7 October Laps 59
Local time 14:00 EDT UTC 18:00

Non-Championship Races[]

There would also be three non-Championship races open to the World Championship entrants, including the return of the Race of Champions. The second race was staged at Donington Park and named the Gunnar Nilsson Memorial Trophy, although it was held as a time trial rather than race. The third and final Grand Prix would be held at the Autodromo Dino Ferrari as a test event for the circuit to take over the Italian Grand Prix in 1980.

Date Event Circuit Report
15 April United Kingdom XIII Marlboro/Daily Mail Race of Champions Brands Hatch Report
3 June United Kingdom Gunnar Nilsson Memorial Trophy Donington Park Report
16 September Italy Dino Ferrari Grand Prix Autodromo Dino Ferrari Report

Season Report[]

Pre-season[]

Round 1: 1979 Argentine Grand Prix[]

The 1979 World Championship tour would kick off on the 21 January, with the Argentine Grand Prix hosting the opening round.[2] There would be a surprise to the season, however, as Ligier swept to a front-row lock-out in qualifying, with Jacques Laffite claiming pole ahead of teammate Patrick Depailler.[2] However, the start of the race would see a huge accident thin the field and stop the race almost before it began, with Didier Pironi, Patrick Tambay, Nelson Piquet, Jody Scheckter and Arturo Merzario left on the sidelines with heavy damage.[2]

The second start saw Depailler leap into an early lead, while Laffite fell to fourth behind Jean-Pierre Jarier and John Watson.[2] Laffite then produced the charge of his life to climb back into the lead before the end of lap eleven, before powering away from Depailler.[2] He duly cruised home to claim a dominant victory, while Carlos Reutemann and Watson moved onto the podium as a misfire caused Depailler's pace to collapse late on.[2]

Round 2: 1979 Brazilian Grand Prix[]

Laffite Brazilian Grand Prix 1979

Jacques Laffite would win the Brazilian Grand Prix at a canter, also collecting fastest lap and his maiden Grand Chelem.

Ligier again proved to be the chassis to beat at the Brazilian Grand Prix, with Laffite and Depailler again securing a front-row lock-out for the French squad.[9] Reutemann led the anti-Ligier charge from third ahead of World Champion teammate Mario Andretti, while the Ferraris shared the third row.[9] However, things would not go Ligier's way at the start of the race, for Reutemann was able to charge through to take second from Depailler, as Laffite swept into the lead.[9]

Laffite duly powered away to claim his second straight victory, as well as a maiden Grand Chelem as he collected fastest lap and led every tour of the Autódromo do Interlagos.[9] Depailler, meanwhile, would power past Reutemann early on before charging away to claim second, with the Argentine left to fight teammate Andretti for third.[9] Mechanical fatigue eventually saw Reutemann secure the final podium spot, with Pironi, Gilles Villeneuve and Scheckter completing the points after stopping for fresh tyres.[9]

Round 3: 1979 South African Grand Prix[]

The XXV Simba Grand Prix of South Africa would serve as the third race of the season in early March, and would see a French built car again sweep to pole.[10] However, this car would not be a Ligier, rather a turbocharged Renault in the hands of Jean-Pierre Jabouille.[10] Indeed, it was a historic day for F1, for Jabouille became the first man to claim pole in a turbocharged car, a sign of things to come in the following decade.[10]

Restart 1979 South African Grand Prix

Gilles Villeneuve aced the restart to lead the South African Grand Prix, before sweeping home to claim victory.

A cloud burst during the opening lap of the race ultimately saw the race stopped at the end of the second lap, with Villeneuve having scrambled ahead of Jabouille.[10] The Canadian duly lined up on pole for the restart, and subsequently sprinted away as the lights went out, followed by teammate Scheckter.[10] Jabouille, meanwhile, decided to start the race on slicks in spite of the sodden track, and hence paid the price as the two Ferraris sprinted away.[10]

However, the circuit would quickly dry, forcing the two Ferraris to stop for slicks mid-race.[10] Villeneuve would rejoin in second, behind Scheckter, although that was only because the South African ace opted to hold onto his wets through until lap 53.[10] Once he stopped Villeneuve was left to power home to another impressive victory, while Scheckter charged hard on his fresh slicks to claim second ahead of Jarier.[10]

Round 4: 1979 United States Grand Prix West[]

The F1 circus headed back across the Atlantic for the fourth race of the season, landing at the Long Beach Street Circuit for the annual scramble in the streets of California.[3] Qualifying would see Villeneuve sweep to pole ahead of Reutemann, while Scheckter beat Depailler to third.[3] Indeed, the only blot on the Canadian's copy book would come on raceday, with the Canadian at fault for two false starts.[3]

Start 1979 US GP West

Gilles Villeneuve powered through to his maiden Grand Chelem at Long Beach, having held the lead at the start in the #12 Ferrari.

However, once the race did eventually get underway there would be no stopping Villeneuve, who duly sprinted away to claim a dominant victory.[3] The Canadian would also secure his maiden Grand Chelem as he danced his Ferrari to fastest lap, while teammate Scheckter had to battle back from a poor opening lap to claim second.[3] Alan Jones, meanwhile, would elbow his way through to third having endured a race long fight with Depailler and Jarier.[3]

Round 5: 1979 Spanish Grand Prix[]

F1 arrived in Europe for the first time in 1979 on the 29 April, with the World Championship field massing at the Circuito del Jarama for the Spanish Grand Prix.[11] Qualifying would see Ligier return to their early form, Laffite sweeping to pole ahead of Depailler, while fresh-faced Championship leader Villeneuve beat defending Champion Andretti to third.[11] Unfortunately for Villeneuve his hopes of claiming a third victory of the season would evaporate early on, as the Canadian bounced off the side of Reutemann on the opening tour after making a poor start.[11]

Reutemann Villeneuve Scheckter 1979 Spanish Grand Prix

Villeneuve through away his chance of victory with an ambitious lunge at Reutemann at the start, only succeeding in pitching himself into a spin.

Out front, meanwhile, Depailler would power past Laffite at the start, before the two blasted away to fight a private duel for victory.[11] However, Laffite would ultimately ruin his race when his best opportunity to take the lead came, with an inopportune gear change causing his Ford Cosworth to detonate on lap fifteen.[11] Depailler was hence left on his own at the head of the field, having amassed a huge lead in the opening stages.[11]

The fight for the other podium spots would, however, rage throughout the rest of the race with Reutemann, Andretti, Scheckter and Niki Lauda all fighting hard.[11] Ultimately mechanical fatigue eliminated Lauda, while tyre fatigue saw Scheckter drop behind both Loti late on.[11] Reutemann hence claimed second ahead of Andretti and the South African, while Jarier and Pironi just held on to deny a charging Villeneuve a point.[11]

Round 6: 1979 Belgian Grand Prix[]

The Belgian Grand Prix would host yet another surprise for F1's class of 1979, with Alfa Romeo returning the field as a factory team for the first time since the 1951 Spanish Grand Prix.[12] Bruno Giacomelli was given the honour of representing the Quadrifoglio, and while he managed to qualify for the race, he was someway off the outright pace.[12] Indeed, pole would instead go to Laffite for the fourth time in 1979, with Depailler and Nelson Piquet, using an Alfa engined Brabham at the head of the grid.[12]

Giacomelli de Angelis Piquet 1979 Belgian Grand Prix

Bruno Giacomelli became the first factory driver for Alfa Romeo to drive in F1 since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1951.

It was advantage Depailler off the line, with the Frenchman powering past his teammate with ease as Laffite spun his wheels.[12] Indeed, Laffite dropped behind both Piquet and Jones at the start, with Jones also managing to elbow the Brazilian out of the way to claim second at the end of the opening tour.[12] The Ferraris and Clay Regazzoni subsequently joined the fray on the second lap, with Scheckter and Villeneuve both smacking the Swiss ace to leave the Williams with heavy damage.[12]

Out front, meanwhile, Depailler would be caught and passed by a recovering Laffite, until both Ligiers hit tyre trouble.[12] That briefly allowed Jones to lead until his race was ended by an electrical failure, with Depailler subsequently inheriting the lead until he went straight into the barriers with horrendous understeer.[12] Laffite hence regained the lead, although a lack of grip meant he was powerless to prevent Scheckter sweeping through late on to claim victory.[12]

Round 7: 1979 Monaco Grand Prix[]

Round 8: 1979 French Grand Prix[]

Round 9: 1979 British Grand Prix[]

Round 10: 1979 German Grand Prix[]

Round 11: 1979 Austrian Grand Prix[]

Round 12: 1979 Dutch Grand Prix[]

Round 13: 1979 Italian Grand Prix[]

Round 14: 1979 Canadian Grand Prix[]

Round 15: 1979 United States Grand Prix[]

Results[]

Round Event Report
Grid Result
1 Argentina Argentine Grand Prix Report
France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
1 France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
Fastest Lap
France [[Patrick Depailler]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
2 Argentina [[Carlos Reutemann]]
United Kingdom Lotus-Ford Cosworth
France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
Argentina [[Carlos Reutemann]]
United Kingdom Lotus-Ford Cosworth
3 United Kingdom [[John Watson]]
United Kingdom McLaren-Ford Cosworth
1:46.91 on Lap 42
2 Brazil Brazilian Grand Prix Report
France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
1 France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
Fastest Lap
France [[Patrick Depailler]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
2 France [[Patrick Depailler]]
United Kingdom Ligier-Ford Cosworth
France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
Argentina [[Carlos Reutemann]]
United Kingdom Lotus-Ford Cosworth
3 Argentina [[Carlos Reutemann]]
United Kingdom Lotus-Ford Cosworth
2:28.76 on Lap 23
3 South Africa South African Grand Prix Report
France [[Jean-Pierre Jabouille]]
France Renault
1 Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
Fastest Lap
South Africa [[Jody Scheckter]]
Italy Ferrari
2 South Africa [[Jody Scheckter]]
Italy Ferrari
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
3 France [[Jean-Pierre Jarier]]
United Kingdom Tyrrell-Ford Cosworth
1:14.412 on Lap 23
4 Long Beach United States Grand Prix West Report
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
1 Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
Fastest Lap
Argentina [[Carlos Reutemann]]
United Kingdom Lotus-Ford Cosworth
2 South Africa [[Jody Scheckter]]
Italy Ferrari
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
South Africa [[Jody Scheckter]]
Italy Ferrari
3 Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
1:21.20 on Lap ?
5 Spain Spanish Grand Prix Report
France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
1 France [[Patrick Depailler]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
Fastest Lap
France [[Patrick Depailler]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
2 Argentina [[Carlos Reutemann]]
United Kingdom Lotus-Ford Cosworth
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
3 United States [[Mario Andretti]]
United Kingdom Lotus-Ford Cosworth
1:16.44 on Lap 72
6 Belgium Belgian Grand Prix Report
France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
1 South Africa [[Jody Scheckter]]
Italy Ferrari
Fastest Lap
France [[Patrick Depailler]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
2 France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
Brazil [[Nelson Piquet]]
United Kingdom Brabham-Alfa Romeo
3 France [[Didier Pironi]]
United Kingdom Tyrrell-Ford Cosworth
1:23.09 on Lap 63
7 Monaco Monaco Grand Prix Report
South Africa [[Jody Scheckter]]
Italy Ferrari
1 South Africa [[Jody Scheckter]]
Italy Ferrari
Fastest Lap
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
2 Switzerland [[Clay Regazzoni]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
France [[Patrick Depailler]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
France [[Patrick Depailler]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
3 Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
1:28.82 on Lap 69
8 France French Grand Prix Report
France [[Jean-Pierre Jabouille]]
France Renault
1 France [[Jean-Pierre Jabouille]]
France Renault
Fastest Lap
France [[René Arnoux]]
France Renault
2 Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
France [[René Arnoux]]
France Renault
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
3 France [[René Arnoux]]
France Renault
1:09.16 on Lap 71
9 United Kingdom British Grand Prix Report
Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
1 Switzerland [[Clay Regazzoni]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
Fastest Lap
France [[Jean-Pierre Jabouille]]
France Renault
2 France [[René Arnoux]]
France Renault
Switzerland [[Clay Regazzoni]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
Brazil [[Nelson Piquet]]
United Kingdom Brabham-Alfa Romeo
3 France [[Jean-Pierre Jarier]]
United Kingdom Tyrrell-Ford Cosworth
1:14.40 on Lap 39
10 West Germany German Grand Prix Report
France [[Jean-Pierre Jabouille]]
France Renault
1 Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
Fastest Lap
Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
2 Switzerland [[Clay Regazzoni]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
3 France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
1:51.89 on Lap 40
11 Austria Austrian Grand Prix Report
France [[René Arnoux]]
France Renault
1 Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
Fastest Lap
Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
2 Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
France [[René Arnoux]]
France Renault
France [[Jean-Pierre Jabouille]]
France Renault
3 France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
1:35.77 on Lap 40
12 Netherlands Dutch Grand Prix Report
France [[René Arnoux]]
France Renault
1 Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
Fastest Lap
Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
2 South Africa [[Jody Scheckter]]
Italy Ferrari
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
Switzerland [[Clay Regazzoni]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
3 France [[Jacques Laffite]]
France Ligier-Ford Cosworth
1:19.438 on Lap 39
13 Italy Italian Grand Prix Report
France [[Jean-Pierre Jabouille]]
France Renault
1 South Africa [[Jody Scheckter]]
Italy Ferrari
Fastest Lap
France [[René Arnoux]]
France Renault
2 Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
South Africa [[Jody Scheckter]]
Italy Ferrari
3 Switzerland [[Clay Regazzoni]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
1:35.60 on Lap 46
14 Canada Canadian Grand Prix Report
Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
1 Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
Fastest Lap
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
2 Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
Switzerland [[Clay Regazzoni]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
3 Switzerland [[Clay Regazzoni]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
1:31.272 on Lap 65
15 United States United States Grand Prix Report
Australia [[Alan Jones]]
United Kingdom Williams-Ford Cosworth
1 Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
Fastest Lap
Brazil [[Nelson Piquet]]
United Kingdom Brabham-Ford Cosworth
2 France [[René Arnoux]]
France Renault
Brazil [[Nelson Piquet]]
United Kingdom Brabham-Ford Cosworth
Canada [[Gilles Villeneuve]]
Italy Ferrari
3 France [[Didier Pironi]]
United Kingdom Tyrrell-Ford Cosworth
1:40.054 on Lap 51

Standings[]

1979 FIA Formula One World Championship for Drivers[]

Outlined below are the full final standings from the 1979 FIA Formula One World Championship for Drivers:

World Championship for Drivers
Pos. Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Pts.
Flag of Argentina Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Long Beach CA flag Flag of Spain 1977 1981 Flag of Belgium Flag of Monaco Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Italy Flag of Canada Flag of the United States
1st Scheckter Ret 6th 2nd 2nd 4th 1st 1st 7th 5th 4th 4th 2nd 1st 4th Ret 51 (60)
2nd Villeneuve Ret 5th 1st 1st 7th 7th Ret 2nd 14th 8th 2nd Ret 2nd 2nd 1st 47 (53)
3rd Jones 9th Ret Ret 3rd Ret Ret Ret 4th Ret 1st 1st 1st 9th 1st Ret 40 (43)
4th Laffite 1st 1st Ret Ret Ret 2nd Ret 8th Ret 3rd 3rd 3rd Ret Ret Ret 36
5th Regazzoni 10th 15th 9th Ret Ret Ret 2nd 6th 1st 2nd 5th Ret 3rd 3rd Ret 29 (32)
6th Depailler 4th 2nd Ret 5th 1st Ret 5th 20 (22)
= Reutemann 2nd 3rd 5th Ret 2nd 4th 3rd 13th 8th Ret Ret Ret 7th Ret Ret 20 (25)
8th Arnoux Ret Ret Ret WD 9th Ret Ret 3rd 2nd Ret 6th Ret Ret Ret 2nd 17
9th Watson 3rd 8th Ret Ret Ret 6th 4th 11th 4th 5th 9th Ret Ret 6th 6th 15
10th Pironi Ret 4th Ret DSQ 6th 3rd Ret Ret 10th 9th 7th Ret 10th 5th 3rd 14
= Jarier Ret DNS 3rd 6th 5th 11th Ret 5th 3rd Ret 6th Ret Ret 14
= Andretti 5th Ret 4th 4th 3rd Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 5th 10th Ret 14
13th Jabouille Ret 10th Ret DNS Ret Ret 8th 1st Ret Ret Ret Ret 14th Ret Ret 9
14th Lauda Ret Ret 6th Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 4th 4
15th de Angelis 7th 12th Ret 7th Ret Ret DNQ 16th 12th 11th Ret Ret Ret Ret 4th 3
= Piquet Ret Ret 7th 8th Ret Ret 7th Ret Ret 12th Ret 4th Ret Ret Ret 3
= Ickx Ret 6th Ret Ret 5th Ret Ret Ret 3
= Mass 8th 7th 12th 9th 8th Ret 6th 15th Ret 6th Ret 6th Ret DNQ DNQ 3
19th Patrese DNS 9th 11th Ret 10th 5th Ret 14th Ret Ret Ret Ret 13th Ret Ret 2
= Stuck DNQ Ret Ret DSQ 14th 8th Ret DNS DNQ Ret Ret Ret 11th Ret 5th 2
21st Fittipaldi 6th 11th 13th Ret 11th 9th Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 8th 8th 7th 1
Rebaque Ret DNQ Ret Ret Ret Ret 12th 9th Ret DNQ 7th DNQ Ret DNQ 0
Tambay Ret Ret 10th Ret 13th DNQ DNQ 10th 7th Ret 10th Ret Ret Ret Ret 0
Zunino 7th Ret 0
Lees 7th 0
Daly 11th 13th DNQ Ret DNQ DNQ DNQ 8th Ret Ret 0
Hunt Ret Ret 8th Ret Ret Ret Ret 0
Lammers Ret 14th Ret Ret 12th 10th DNQ 18th 11th 10th Ret Ret DNQ 9th DNQ 0
Rosberg 9th Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret DNQ Ret 0
Brambilla 12th Ret DNQ 0
Gaillard DNQ 13th DNQ Ret DNQ 0
Giacomelli Ret 17th Ret Ret 0
Merzario Ret DNQ DNQ Ret DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 0
Surer DNQ DNQ Ret 0
Brancatelli DNQ DNQ DNPQ 0
Ribeiro DNQ DNQ 0
Pos. Driver Flag of Argentina Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Long Beach CA flag Flag of Spain 1977 1981 Flag of Belgium Flag of Monaco Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Italy Flag of Canada Flag of the United States Pts.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

1979 FIA Formula One International Cup for Constructors[]

Outlined below are the full final standings from the 1979 FIA Formula One International Cup for Constructors:

International Cup for Constructors
Pos. Team No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Pts.
Flag of Argentina Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Long Beach CA flag Flag of Spain 1977 1981 Flag of Belgium Flag of Monaco Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Italy Flag of Canada Flag of the United States
1st Ferrari 11 Ret 6th 2nd 2nd 4th 1st 1st 7th 5th 4th 4th 2nd 1st 4th Ret 113
12 Ret 5th 1st 1st 7th 7th Ret 2nd 14th 8th 2nd Ret 2nd 2nd 1st
2nd Williams-Ford Cosworth 27 9th Ret Ret 3rd Ret Ret Ret 4th Ret 1st 1st 1st 9th 1st Ret 75
28 10th 15th 9th Ret Ret Ret 2nd 6th 1st 2nd 5th Ret 3rd 3rd Ret
3rd Ligier-Ford Cosworth 25 4th 2nd Ret 5th 1st Ret 5th Ret 6th Ret Ret 5th Ret Ret Ret 61
26 1st 1st Ret Ret Ret 2nd Ret 8th Ret 3rd 3rd 3rd Ret Ret Ret
4th Lotus-Ford Cosworth 1 5th Ret 4th 4th 3rd Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 5th 10th Ret 39
2 2nd 3rd 5th Ret 2nd 4th 3rd 13th 8th Ret Ret Ret 7th Ret Ret
31 Ret DNQ Ret Ret Ret Ret 12th 9th Ret DNQ 7th
5th Tyrrell-Ford Cosworth 3 Ret 4th Ret DSQ 6th 3rd Ret Ret 10th 9th 7th Ret 10th 5th 3rd 28
4 Ret DNS 3rd 6th 5th 11th Ret 5th 3rd 7th 8th Ret 6th Ret Ret
33 Ret Ret
6th Renault 15 Ret 10th Ret DNS Ret Ret 8th 1st Ret Ret Ret Ret 14th Ret Ret 26
16 Ret Ret Ret WD 9th Ret Ret 3rd 2nd Ret 6th Ret Ret Ret 2nd
7th McLaren-Ford Cosworth 7 3rd 8th Ret Ret Ret 6th 4th 11th 4th 5th 9th Ret Ret 6th 6th 15
8 Ret Ret 10th Ret 13th DNQ DNQ 10th 7th Ret 10th Ret Ret Ret Ret
8th Brabham-Alfa Romeo 5 Ret Ret 6th Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 4th 7
6 Ret Ret 7th 8th Ret Ret 7th Ret Ret 12th Ret 4th Ret
9th Arrows-Ford Cosworth 29 DNS 9th 11th Ret 10th 5th Ret 14th Ret Ret Ret Ret 13th Ret Ret 5
30 8th 7th 12th 9th 8th Ret 6th 15th Ret 6th Ret 6th Ret DNQ DNQ
10th Shadow-Ford Cosworth 17 Ret 14th Ret Ret 12th 10th DNQ 18th 11th 10th Ret Ret DNQ 9th DNQ 7
18 7th 12th Ret 7th Ret Ret DNQ 16th 12th 11th Ret Ret Ret Ret 4th
11th ATS-Ford Cosworth 9 DNQ Ret Ret DSQ 14th 8th Ret DNS DNQ Ret Ret Ret 11th Ret 5th 2
12th Fittipaldi-Ford Cosworth 14 6th 11th 13th Ret 11th 9th Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 8th 8th 7th 1
19 DNQ DNQ
Brabham-Ford Cosworth 5 7th Ret 0
6 Ret Ret
Wolf-Ford Cosworth 20 Ret Ret 8th Ret Ret Ret Ret 9th Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret DNQ Ret 0
Ensign-Ford Cosworth 22 11th 13th DNQ Ret DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 13th DNQ Ret DNQ DNQ DNQ Ret 0
Alfa Romeo 35 Ret 17th Ret Ret 0
36 12th Ret DNQ
Merzario-Ford Cosworth 24 Ret DNQ DNQ Ret DNQ DNQ DNPQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 0
Rebaque-Ford Cosworth 31 DNQ Ret DNQ 0
Kauhsen-Ford Cosworth 36 DNQ DNQ 0
Pos. Team No. Flag of Argentina Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Long Beach CA flag Flag of Spain 1977 1981 Flag of Belgium Flag of Monaco Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Italy Flag of Canada Flag of the United States Pts.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

References[]

Images and Videos:

References:

  1. 'Canadian GP, 1978', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr313.html, (Accessed 18/09/2018)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 'Argentine GP, 1979', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr314.html, (Accessed 26/09/2018)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 'United States GP, 1979', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr317.html, (Accessed 06/11/2018)
  4. 4.0 4.1 'Monaco GP, 1979', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr320.html, (Accessed 22/11/2018)
  5. 'French GP, 1979', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr321.html, (Accessed 24/12/2018)
  6. 'Dutch GP, 1979', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr325.html, (Accessed 03/01/2019)
  7. 'Italian GP, 1979', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr326.html, (Accessed 04/01/2019)
  8. 'United States GP, 1979', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr328.html, (Accessed 12/01/2019)
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 'Brazilian GP, 1979', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr315.html, (Accessed 31/10/2018)
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 'South African GP, 1979', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr316.html, (Accessed 04/11/2018)
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 'Spanish GP, 1979', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr318.html, (Accessed 08/11/2018)
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 'Belgian GP, 1979', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr319.html, (Accessed 12/11/2018)
V T E 1979 Formula One Season
Teams Alfa Romeo • Arrows • ATS • Brabham • Ensign • Ferrari • Fittipaldi • Kauhsen • Ligier • Lotus • McLaren • Merzario • Rebaque • Renault • Shadow • Tyrrell • Williams • Wolf
Engines Alfa Romeo • Ferrari • Ford Cosworth • Renault
Drivers Alphabetically Andretti • de Angelis • Arnoux • Brambilla • Brancatelli • Daly • Depailler • Fittipaldi • Gaillard • Giacomelli • Hunt • Ickx • Jabouille • Jarier • Jones • Laffite • Lammers • Lauda • Lees • Mass • Merzario • Patrese • Piquet • Pironi • Rebaque • Regazzoni • Reutemann • Ribeiro • Rosberg • Scheckter • Stuck • Surer • Tambay • Villeneuve • Watson • Zunino
Drivers by Numbers 1 Andretti • 2 Reutemann • 3 Pironi • 4 Jarier • 4 Lees • 4/22/33 Daly • 5 Lauda • 5 Zunino • 6 Piquet • 7 Watson • 8 Tambay • 9 Stuck • 11 Scheckter • 12 Villeneuve • 14 Fittipaldi • 15 Jabouille • 16 Arnoux • 17 Lammers • 18 de Angelis • 19 Ribeiro • 20 Hunt • 20 Rosberg • 22 Gaillard • 22 Surer • 24 Merzario • 24/36 Brancatelli • 25 Depailler • 25 Ickx • 26 Laffite • 27 Jones • 28 Regazzoni • 29 Patrese • 30 Mass • 31 Rebaque • 35 Giacomelli • 36 Brambilla
Cars Alfa Romeo 177 • Alfa Romeo 179 • Arrows A1 • Arrows A2 • ATS D2 • ATS D3 • Brabham BT46 • Brabham BT48 • Brabham BT49 • Ensign N177 • Ensign N179 • Ferrari 312T3 • Ferrari 312T4 • Fittipaldi F5A • Fittipaldi F6 • Fittipaldi F6A • Kauhsen WK • Ligier JS11 • Lotus 79 • Lotus 80 • McLaren M26 • McLaren M28 • McLaren M28B • McLaren M28C • McLaren M29 • Merzario A1B • Merzario A2 • Merzario A4 • Rebaque HR100 • Renault RS01 • Renault RS10 • Shadow DN9 • Tyrrell 009 • Williams FW06 • Williams FW07 • Wolf WR7 • Wolf WR8 • Wolf WR9
Tyres Goodyear • Michelin
Races Argentina • Brazil • South Africa • United States West • Spain • Belgium • Monaco • France • Britain • Germany • Austria • Netherlands • Italy • Canada • United States
Non-championship Races Race of Champions • Dino Ferrari
See also 1978 Formula One Season • 1980 Formula One Season • Category
V T E Formula One Seasons
195019511952195319541955195619571958195919601961196219631964196519661967196819691970197119721973197419751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
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