1979 United States Grand Prix

Previous race

Jones won in Canada in a race-long duel with Villeneuve, the two banging wheels at the hairpin as Jones slipped ahead. Villeneuve was a second behind at the flag; it was later revealed that Jones’s car was on the verge of mechanical failure in the closing laps. Piquet ran third until retiring in the closing laps, leaving Regazzoni third.

Championship standings

Both championships are already settled. Scheckter is the 1979 World Drivers’ Champion and Ferrari are the 1979 Constructors’ Champions. The final race at Watkins Glen is a contest for runner-up honours.

Weather

Friday was soaked with heavy rain all day; only six cars made any serious attempt at a lap time. Saturday was bright and sunny for qualifying. The forecast for race day is a 50% chance of rain.

Entrants

This is the final Grand Prix for Jacky Ickx, whose Formula One career stretches back to 1967 and includes eight Grand Prix victories. It is also the last race for the Wolf team. A field of 30 cars is competing for 24 grid positions.

Prior to joining McLaren for the 1980 season, young French driver Alain Prost was offered the chance to race for McLaren at Watkins Glen. He turned it down, feeling he was not yet physically or mentally ready and would do neither himself nor the team justice.

Milestones

This is the final Formula One race for Arturo Merzario, Alex Ribeiro and Hans-Joachim Stuck.