Speedrun Through F1 - 1981 Round 3 - Argentina GP

After defying team orders during the previous race in Brazil, Reutemann lines up in 4th on the grid, at his home race in Argentina, on his birthday, and lined up next to teammate Alan Jones in 3rd. Reutemann had said in an interview that he had seen the signals from the team during the last 3 laps, knew about the contact clauses, but ultimately decided to ignore the signals and take the win. He had stated that if he was not racing for wins, that he might as well go back home to his farm in Argentina. Williams fined Reutemann for the contractual infraction, however, remained neutral for the rest of the season between both drivers. Frank Williams later stated that he should not care who takes the win as they were both simply employees.

As described by longtime f1 journalist Nigel Roebuck, Alan Jones stated after last race, “I now know I have to go out and beat Carlos as well,” and in later years stated, "from that moment on, I just knew I couldn't trust Carlos because the contract may as well... you know, not exist, why sign it"

It is now April 12, 1981, a sunny day, Nelson Piquet has secured pole position with his Brabham, Alain Prost managed to get his Turbo-charged Renault into a trend-breaking 2nd, with Jones and Reutemann directly and respectively behind these two.

The race starts, it appears Nelson Piquet gets away as quickly as everyone else, but a slightly hesitant moment into 2nd gear gifted the lead to Alan Jones. Prost, in the meantime ends up being swallowed up by no less than 4 cars off the start. De Cesaris in his Marlboro McLaren can be seen performing donuts after spinning off the track in his attempts to right his car in the correct direction. One of many televised spins that will be seen in his career.

Nelson overtakes Alan Jones for 1st off screen and proceeds to break away from everyone. Interestingly, Brabham had devised a clever workaround for the 6cm height minimum with a hydraulic system which would lower the car at race speeds, and raise to meet the minimum requirement when at a stand-still. It’s effectiveness so great, the difference between these Brabhams and the rest of the field were similar to when Lotus introduced the wing car. Absolute and unfettered dominance.

Reutemann manages to pass World Champion Alan Jones for 2nd, while Mr. Walker comments on how crazy the audience would be once they see their national hero in front of jones. Back then, not many stands had big screens to keep the audience updated, and there were no radio for teams to use, so race updates were very manual and slow. Sure enough, as Reutemann passed the main grandstand, a roar erupted as they saw their man now ahead of his teammate.

While Nelson Piquet had proved his race-craft to be that of champion caliber, however, his Brabham teammate, Hector Rebaque (roughly pronounced Reb-ock) was not looked on so kindly. Despite that, he was able to push his brabham to the top of the field past Patrese, Jones and prost shortly after lap 4. With typical Murray Walker class, he broached this subject, insulting rebaque so professionally and devastatingly:

(On Rebaque making his way up the field) “Incredible! Why I say ‘Incredible’ is because he (rebaque) is NOT an absolute top-line grand prix world championship standard driver. He’s bought his way into the Brabham team. While he is a good driver but he’s not that brilliant.”

Marshalls with a front row seat to the action.

After managing to pass Prost, Murray did concede that it was a good bit of driving there, and did wish to retract what he had said, but follows that with an amusingly dismal forecast in Rebaque’s attempt to catch #2 Reutemann, much less pass him. When Rebaque flies by Reutemann, Mr. Walker scorches Reutemann’s remains with, “If you had asked me, before this race began, what a pretty unlikely situation would be, I would have said “Brabhams, in first and second positions.” Not because I doubted that Nelson Piquet could be in the lead, but that, I would have frankly disbelieved that Hector Rebaque, number 6, could possibly have gotten ahead of everybody else, and he’s driven through the field up into second position. A brilliant achievement.”

More than halfway through the race, Murray Walker notices that the crowd is cheering loudly for an uncertain reason. He doesn’t see any activity from his booth, and TV director continues to follow Piquet until the source of the agitation was identified. Camera falls on Hector Rebaque’s vacant Brabham in the grass, promoting Reutemann to 2nd position.

After Irishman John Watson retires in his Marlboro McLaren from 6th around lap 36 of 53, the top 6 are from first: Piquet, Reutemann, Prost, Jones, Prost’s teammate in the other Renault, Rene Arnoux (Pronounced Renny Arnoo) in 5th, with Patrese taking the last point scoring place, 6th.

Villanueve spinning from the far side of the track.

On the back straight, Villanueve outbrakes himself, going much wider than his intended right, catches some dirt on the far side of the track, causing him to spin out back across the track and into the field, nearby Marshalls dodging the incoming Ferrari. Miraculously no marshalls were injured, and Villanueve was able to prevent his Ferrari from stalling. He was able to resume after a brief stroll through the grass leading to the track.

A 3 time Grand Prix winner, Nelson Piquet carefully makes his way home to secure his 4th Grand Prix win. The older gentleman waves the checkered flag as if a conductor directing his orchestra of racecars in their final notes of the show. Flagwaving 7/10.

Race Results:

1 Piquet - Brabham

2 Reutemann - Williams

3 Prost - Renault

4 Jones - Williams

5 Arnoux - Renault

6 De Angelis - Lotus

Top 5 in Driver Championship:

1 Reutemann 21 Pts

2 Alan jones 18 pts

3 Nelson Piquet 13 pts

4 Ricardo Patrese 4 pts

5 Alain Prost 4 pts

Top 3 in Constructor Championship

1 Williams 39 pts

2 Brabham 13 pts

3 Renault 6 pts

The next race, Round 4 and the San Marino Grand Prix, would occur 3 weeks later on May 3, 1981.