1981 Belgian Grand Prix
The Grand Prix of Belgium 1981 was held on 17 May at the Circuit Zolder Zolder - Terlaemen and was the fifth race of the Formula 1 season 1981.
- 3.1 qualifying
- 3.2 race
- 4.1 Drivers' Championship
- 4.2 Constructors' Championship
Reports
Background
Because since the beginning of the season, a certain continuity was ensured in the Formula 1 World Championship by the Concorde Agreement, it came from then during the season to fewer changes in the message lists between the individual Grand Prix, than was previously the case. The racing series was structured by clear guidelines and was thus more marketable, which corresponded to the particular objectives of the FOCA - founder Bernie Ecclestone. With Toleman another team was represented for the Grand Prix of San Marino 1981. Since Lotus returned to the participants back to the Belgium GP, the specified limit of 32 vehicles registered per Grand Prix has been reached. The ATS Racing Team then agreed henceforth to refrain again on a second car in order not to exceed this maximum number. They opted for Slim Borgudd instead of Jan Lammers.
In Osella the Italian debutant Piercarlo Ghinzani became the representative for the injured Miguel Ángel Guerra.
Training
During the first qualifying session on Friday afternoon, it came into the pit lane to a tragic accident when Carlos Reutemann an Osella mechanic who tripped and fell from the pit wall, could not avoid and so severely injured him that he died in hospital three days later. Some drivers complained then the very dense crowd in the pit lane.
Although he was under the impression of the accident, is Reutemann qualified for the pole position ahead of Nelson Piquet, Didier Pironi and Riccardo Patrese.
As the ground clearance of the Williams of Alan Jones FW07C did not meet the required six centimeters, was denied him his best lap of the first qualifying session. For the same reason, Derek Daly all the times he had achieved during exercise deleted.
Due to rain no time improvements were expected on Saturday. Some drivers therefore waived for participation in the second qualifying session.
Race
Shortly before the start demonstrated mechanics of all teams in the face of two days earlier passed the accident for better safety regulations in the pit lane. Some drivers left then spontaneously their standing in the starting lineup car and joined the Prostest of solidarity. As the race director shortly thereafter yet released the warm-up lap, it was a mess, as some cars stopped with an empty cockpit. Nelson Piquet thereby lost the orientation and missed the end of the round to its starting position, so he had to do alone, another warm-up lap. Since the remaining vehicles were threatening to overheat while in the grid, some drivers off of the engines as they were expecting another lap for all participants afterwards. Instead of the normal startup process was initiated after Piquet had taken his position. Riccardo Patrese was among those who were surprised. Since he could not start automatically again his engine, he made a warning with clear Winkzeichen attention to itself and a mechanic rushed. Nevertheless, the race has been released. All drivers up to team-mate Patrese Siegfried Stohr managed to dodge in time. Stohr, however, bounced into the back of his teammates, whereby a second mechanic was injured this weekend. He survived, however.
As Piquet and Reutemann as leader after the first round passed the accident scene, they reduced their speed. Furthermore, since debris and an ambulance route blocked partially, stopped at the other driver and thus ensured independently for a race was stopped, without having been shown the red flag.
The Team Arrows did not participate in reboot. Pironi took the lead before Reutemann and Piquet. Jones overtook in the second round, first John Watson and in the tenth round his teammates Reutemann. One lap later led a collision between Jones and Piquet in a duel for second place to an accident of the Brazilian. In the 13th round Jones took over the leadership of Pironi. When he retired on lap 19 due to an accident, took over his team-mate Reutemann the top position. This eventually won before Jacques Laffite and Nigel Mansell.
As a consequence of the accident at the start set the current rule was introduced that all the mechanics the grid must have left before the start of the formation lap within 15 seconds and the route then no longer allowed to enter.
Message list
Classifications
Qualifying
4 Due to low ground clearance of his car, the lap times achieved by Derek Daly were deleted.
Race
WM stands after the race
The first six of the race were 9, 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point (s).