1980 Dutch Grand Prix

Previous race

Austria went to Jabouille — his second and final career victory, the first points finish of his season — by eight-tenths of a second from Jones, who won the start and led until Arnoux overtook him on lap 3. Arnoux then pitted for tyres, handing Jabouille the lead; Jones fell just short at the flag despite Jabouille limping home on wrecked rubber. Reutemann was third. Mansell retired with a broken engine on his Formula One debut, also suffering burns after his overalls were soaked in fuel before the race. Jones now leads Piquet by eleven points.

Championship

Jones leads Piquet by eleven points. Reutemann is third; Laffite fourth.

Between-race developments

Alfa Romeo enter a second car for the first time since Patrick Depailler’s death, with Italian veteran Vittorio Brambilla returning to the cockpit. Geoff Lees takes a second Ensign N180. Jochen Mass attempts a return from his Austrian practice injuries, but withdraws from the meeting during the weekend. Tyrrell test driver Mike Thackwell attempts to step into Mass’s vacant Arrows, hoping to become the youngest Formula One starter, but fails to qualify.

Track changes

The Zandvoort circuit has been altered for the second time in as many years, with the back-straight chicane tightened significantly and several new corner combinations introduced.