1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix

Previous race

René Arnoux won at Monza, leading home Tambay and Mario Andretti in a Ferrari one-two-three. Watson finished fourth for three championship points. Rosberg struggled after losing his rear wing and pitting for repairs, finishing outside the points. Prost and Lauda both retired and are eliminated from championship contention.

Between-race developments

Arnoux has announced he will join Ferrari in 1983, replacing Mario Andretti after this final round.

Championship standings

Rosberg leads the championship on 42 points. Watson is nine points behind on 33. The injured Pironi has exited championship contention, being absent from the final round.

Championship permutations

Rosberg needs to finish sixth or higher to secure the title regardless of Watson’s result. Watson must win the race with Rosberg finishing seventh or lower to claim the championship; if that happened, both drivers would finish on 42 points, and Watson would be champion by virtue of having three wins to Rosberg’s one.

For the first time since 1964, three teams enter the final race with a mathematical chance of winning the Constructors’ Championship. Ferrari lead on 74 points, McLaren are on 63, and Renault on 59.

Circuit

For the third time this season, Formula One races in the United States — the only year one country has hosted three rounds in the same season. The Caesars Palace circuit’s tight corners and short straights allow naturally aspirated Cosworth cars to be more competitive than on most circuits, closing some of the power deficit to the turbos.

Entrants

This is the final Grand Prix for Mario Andretti, who retires from Formula One at the end of this weekend. The Ensign and Fittipaldi teams also make their last Formula One starts here. The March team and Matra as an engine supplier also end their participation after this race.