1979 Spanish Grand Prix
Pre-qualifying
The Formula 1 circus returned to Europe for the fifth round of the championship. Alfa Romeo had finally completed the development of their new V12 engine and it proved competitive right in its debut. Clay Regazzoni was the fastest driver in pre-qualifying before Team Rebaque's drivers. Ensign's Jabouille was well off the pace following technical issues. Colombo couldn't match the pace of the other four driver and so Ensign would miss the race for the third time this season.
Qualifying
Brabham had had a disappointing season so far and as the other team using the brand new Alfa engine, they had their hopes high before the weekend. However, qualifying would continue to be difficult for them as their drivers could only manage 22th and 25th places, even behind both of the works Alfa Romeos.
In front it was the usual suspects. Alan Jones took his second pole of the season in his Ferrari and Tyrrell's Jody Scheckter continued his fine form taking second. Didier Pironi, who has struggled a bit lately, was third only just beating championship contenders Villeneuve and Reutemann. McLarens returned to speed again as Rosberg completed the third row. Fittipaldi was in decent pace too by clocking a solid 10th fastest time. Arnoux, Cheever and Lauda were the other drivers to start in the top-10.
Rest of the grid provided no majos surprises. Both Williams' drivers disappointed a little perhaps, as did Derek Daly who has so far this season been clearly the faster of the two Lotuses. Arrows had unveiled their new car, the A2 chassis, earlier this weekend but weren't yet able to show any signs of an improved performance. Shadow drivers Gaillard and Rahal had terrible qualifying sessions and they weren't able to qualify for the race.
Race
Start provided no major drama. Jones took the lead and Scheckter followed closely. Villeneuve and Rosberg started from the clean side of the track and were able to pass Pironi and Reutemann respectively. Brabhams continued their difficult weekend with the new engine: after the first lap Ickx was in 24th and Patrese in last place.
Race went on pretty quietly. There were a few battles around the circuit and from time to time someone from the leading pack would drop down due to technical issues. First one to do so was Emerson Fittipaldi whose engine exploded after just three laps. By the 20th lap James Hunt, Jones and Scheckter were forced to retire too. This marked the fourth time in five races Jones and Scheckter had retired. How long can their run of bad luck continue? Following the leader duo's retirement it was Pironi who inherited the lead. Villeneuve close behind him and Rosberg a bit more distant third before Reutemann, Lauda and Takahara.
After first round of pit stops Villeneuve took the lead. Behind the leaders drivers retired one by one, suggesting the 75 lap race would be one of high attrition. By the mid-point of the race Cheever, Arnoux and Lauda had retired from the pack fighting for the last points finishes. Pironi was still in second but Reutemann, who had passed Rosberg, was closing in quickly. Takahara was having a superb race in fifth before Piquet, de Villota, Tambay, Ickx and Keegan.
Pironi retired before Reutemann could catch him and so the Argentinian championship leader would begin the chase for Villeneuve. Unfortunately the Renault driver would once again have to pay the price for the poor reliability of the turbo engine. Suddenly Reutemann was leading the race with a lead of over a minute over Rosberg who was safely in second and clearly just bringing the car home. By the end of the race Reutemann would lap Rosberg, underlining why he has been dominating the championship. Fight for third was fierce but in the end it was Patrick Tambay who would take Ligier's first podium of the year. Emilio de Villota continued his fantastic form by taking fourth in the new Arrows. Noritake Takahara had a drive of his life finishing ahead of Williams' promising youngster Nelson Piquet. Jacky Ickx had a fine drive after initial difficulties to end his run of retirements with a seventh place finish and shed a little light on Brabham's otherwise disappointing weekend.
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The development market for the sixth race is open! You have until Sunday 16:00 EEST to make/modify your investments.
Pre-qualifying
The Formula 1 circus returned to Europe for the fifth round of the championship. Alfa Romeo had finally completed the development of their new V12 engine and it proved competitive right in its debut. Clay Regazzoni was the fastest driver in pre-qualifying before Team Rebaque's drivers. Ensign's Jabouille was well off the pace following technical issues. Colombo couldn't match the pace of the other four driver and so Ensign would miss the race for the third time this season.
Qualifying
Brabham had had a disappointing season so far and as the other team using the brand new Alfa engine, they had their hopes high before the weekend. However, qualifying would continue to be difficult for them as their drivers could only manage 22th and 25th places, even behind both of the works Alfa Romeos.
In front it was the usual suspects. Alan Jones took his second pole of the season in his Ferrari and Tyrrell's Jody Scheckter continued his fine form taking second. Didier Pironi, who has struggled a bit lately, was third only just beating championship contenders Villeneuve and Reutemann. McLarens returned to speed again as Rosberg completed the third row. Fittipaldi was in decent pace too by clocking a solid 10th fastest time. Arnoux, Cheever and Lauda were the other drivers to start in the top-10.
Rest of the grid provided no majos surprises. Both Williams' drivers disappointed a little perhaps, as did Derek Daly who has so far this season been clearly the faster of the two Lotuses. Arrows had unveiled their new car, the A2 chassis, earlier this weekend but weren't yet able to show any signs of an improved performance. Shadow drivers Gaillard and Rahal had terrible qualifying sessions and they weren't able to qualify for the race.
Race
Start provided no major drama. Jones took the lead and Scheckter followed closely. Villeneuve and Rosberg started from the clean side of the track and were able to pass Pironi and Reutemann respectively. Brabhams continued their difficult weekend with the new engine: after the first lap Ickx was in 24th and Patrese in last place.
Race went on pretty quietly. There were a few battles around the circuit and from time to time someone from the leading pack would drop down due to technical issues. First one to do so was Emerson Fittipaldi whose engine exploded after just three laps. By the 20th lap James Hunt, Jones and Scheckter were forced to retire too. This marked the fourth time in five races Jones and Scheckter had retired. How long can their run of bad luck continue? Following the leader duo's retirement it was Pironi who inherited the lead. Villeneuve close behind him and Rosberg a bit more distant third before Reutemann, Lauda and Takahara.
After first round of pit stops Villeneuve took the lead. Behind the leaders drivers retired one by one, suggesting the 75 lap race would be one of high attrition. By the mid-point of the race Cheever, Arnoux and Lauda had retired from the pack fighting for the last points finishes. Pironi was still in second but Reutemann, who had passed Rosberg, was closing in quickly. Takahara was having a superb race in fifth before Piquet, de Villota, Tambay, Ickx and Keegan.
Pironi retired before Reutemann could catch him and so the Argentinian championship leader would begin the chase for Villeneuve. Unfortunately the Renault driver would once again have to pay the price for the poor reliability of the turbo engine. Suddenly Reutemann was leading the race with a lead of over a minute over Rosberg who was safely in second and clearly just bringing the car home. By the end of the race Reutemann would lap Rosberg, underlining why he has been dominating the championship. Fight for third was fierce but in the end it was Patrick Tambay who would take Ligier's first podium of the year. Emilio de Villota continued his fantastic form by taking fourth in the new Arrows. Noritake Takahara had a drive of his life finishing ahead of Williams' promising youngster Nelson Piquet. Jacky Ickx had a fine drive after initial difficulties to end his run of retirements with a seventh place finish and shed a little light on Brabham's otherwise disappointing weekend.
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The development market for the sixth race is open! You have until Sunday 16:00 EEST to make/modify your investments.
