1981 San Marino Grand Prix

Championship standings

Piquet leads after a dominant performance in Argentina, though Reutemann’s win in Brazil keeps them close at the top.

Previous race

At Buenos Aires, Piquet took the lead on the first lap by going around the outside of Jones and drove away to win by over 25 seconds — a grand slam for Brabham. Teammate Héctor Rebaque climbed as high as second before retiring with a distributor problem on lap 33. It was Alain Prost’s first career podium, finishing third.

Between-race developments

News emerges on Friday that the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen has been cancelled due to the circuit organiser’s financial difficulties. The development was anticipated — Watkins Glen has faced ongoing money problems. A replacement round has not yet been confirmed.

Entrants

Team Lotus withdraws their entries after the FIA upholds the ban on the Lotus 88. Team owner Colin Chapman, incensed by the decision, left before practice began. A new Lotus 87 is reportedly being prepared in England.

Toleman makes their first Formula One entry with Brian Henton and Derek Warwick, running Brian Hart’s turbocharged engine on Pirelli tyres. Neither driver qualifies. Michele Alboreto makes his Formula One debut at Tyrrell, replacing Ricardo Zunino. Alboreto brings sponsorship from an Italian ceramics company.

The McLaren MP4/1 carbon-composite chassis races for the first time, with John Watson at the wheel.

Weather

The track is wet at the start.