1983 United States Grand Prix West
The Grand Prix of USA West 1983 was held on 27 March in Long Beach and was the second race of the Formula 1 season 1983.
- 3.1 qualifying
- 3.2 race
- 4.1 Drivers' Championship
- 4.2 Constructors' Championship
Reports
Background
In the hope of finding a new main sponsor, Arrows won the World Cup of 1980, Alan Jones, back in Formula 1 Otherwise there was on the driver's side no changes compared to the season opener in Brazil two weeks earlier.
The vehicles were two significant innovations. So Lotus first came to with a copy of the new 93T, which was powered by a Renault turbo engine. Elio de Angelis drove the car while his team-mate Nigel Mansell initially continue the proven Lotus 92 began with conventional naturally aspirated engine. A similar strategy was pursued also the Renault works team by allowing initially be driven by only one of the two factory riders, namely Alain Prost the new RE40 and Eddie Cheever endowed remains with the mature RE30B.
Training
During the training sessions, it was found that the Goodyear and Pirelli shod teams seemed to have this weekend distinct advantages over the equipped with Michelin tires competition. This was also reflected in the grid, which was composed of the two Ferrari driver Patrick Tambay and René Arnoux in the front row as well as from the two Williams of Keke Rosberg and Jacques Laffite. They were followed by Elio de Angelis and Derek Warwick two vehicles on Pirelli tires before Michele Alboreto. On the eighth place was with Alain Prost the first Michelin Pilot.
Both Osella pilots failed to qualify for one of the 26 starting places.
Race
While Tambay defended his starting position, his team-mate Arnoux had to surrender the started from third place from Rosberg. This turned shortly afterwards, but was able to continue the race in third place behind his team mate Laffite. Arnoux, meanwhile, fell behind Alboreto back to fifth place. In the second round Rosberg got back to second place. When he tried to lap 26 to take the lead, he collided with Tambay. This was eliminated. Rosberg was able to continue the race again, but was rammed shortly thereafter by Jean -Pierre Jarier. This took the lead ahead of Riccardo Patrese Laffite and Marc Surer, while the two McLarens of Niki Lauda and John Watson, who had started the race from grid positions 22 and 23, quickly caught up. It was found that the Michelin tires worked much better in race conditions, as previously in training.
On lap 29 Elio de Angelis had to abandon the race, as the Lotus team no other wheels were available after two complete tire changes.
In the 33rd round Watson overtook Lauda. The duo took over in the 44th round of Patrese and one lap later Laffite. Then they succeeded with a clear lead a double victory. These were at first for McLaren since the Canadian Grand Prix in 1968 and the second for the team as a whole. Watson's victory after a start from position 22 provides an up -date ( 2012) valid record dar.
In the 52nd round Patrese was escapes past Laffite to third place, but fell due to a technical defect of during the closing stages and was considered a tenth because of its distance traveled. Laffite was ultimately fourth behind Arnoux. Marc Surer and Johnny Cecotto reached the fifth and sixth.
Message list
Classifications
Qualifying
Race
WM stands after the race
The first six of the race were 9, 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point (s).