1981 United States Grand Prix West

Between-race developments

The Concorde Agreement was signed in Paris just ten days before this race, formally ending the FISA–FOCA dispute. With the skirt ban accepted by all parties, the full field — FOCA teams alongside Ferrari, Renault, Alfa Romeo, Ligier, and Osella — appears at Long Beach together for the first time. With Goodyear having withdrawn from European racing in December, the entire field competes on Michelin. Revised wings, softer springs and reworked sidepods are evident across the paddock as teams adapt to the new 6 cm ground clearance requirement.

Entrants

Kevin Cogan misses the final qualifying spot by 0.07 seconds — the first time a Tyrrell has ever failed to make the grid. Four drivers make their Formula One debuts: Chico Serra (Fittipaldi), Siegfried Stohr (Arrows), Miguel Ángel Guerra (Osella), and Eliseo Salazar (March), the first Chilean driver to race in Formula One.

The new twin-chassis Lotus 88, designed by Colin Chapman and Martin Ogilvie, passes scrutineering for Friday practice. On Saturday, a majority of teams lodge a protest; the car is banned for the rest of the weekend and Lotus must qualify and race the conventional Lotus 81.

Track changes

The second left-hander on Pine Avenue has been reworked from a double-apex corner into a single-apex corner.

Milestones

Riccardo Patrese takes pole position by 0.01 seconds from Alan Jones — the first pole position in Arrows’ history.