1980 French Grand Prix

Previous race

Monaco began with a spectacular pile-up at the first corner when Derek Daly’s Tyrrell launched over Giacomelli’s Alfa, landed between Jarier and Prost, and eliminated all four on the spot. Pironi led until he crashed at Casino Square on lap 55. Reutemann inherited the lead and won by over a minute from Laffite, with Piquet third — Piquet’s third place moved him past Arnoux and Jones to take the championship lead for the first time.

Championship

Piquet leads the championship after Monaco, his first time heading the standings in 1980.

Between-race developments

The FISA–FOCA war escalated sharply at the Spanish Grand Prix on 1 June. On the morning of Friday practice at Jarama, FISA president Jean-Marie Balestre announced that the race would not be held under FISA regulations and would therefore not count toward the championship; he also temporarily stripped the drivers of their licences. The FISA-aligned manufacturer teams — Renault, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo — withdrew. The race went ahead with the FOCA constructors, and Jones won. The controversy has continued into this weekend, though the two camps reached an agreement in time for the French Grand Prix to proceed as a championship round with all teams present.

Shadow Racing Cars — sold two months ago to Macau-based businessman Teddy Yip — make their final championship appearance here. Geoff Lees and David Kennedy attempt to qualify in the Shadow DN12s for the 24-car grid.

Background

The French Grand Prix moves to Circuit Paul Ricard this year, switching from Dijon-Prenois as part of the two-circuit hosting arrangement. There is a six-week gap since Monaco after the Swedish Grand Prix — originally scheduled for June — was cancelled before the season began.