1982 San Marino Grand Prix

Previous race

Niki Lauda won at Long Beach in only his third race back in Formula One, pulling clear after Andrea de Cesaris, who had taken pole, lost the lead to brake trouble and crashed late in the race. Gilles Villeneuve crossed the line third but was excluded after officials upheld a protest over Ferrari’s rear wing design, promoting Keke Rosberg to second.

Between-race developments

The FIA International Court of Appeal has sided with Ferrari and Renault on their protest over the water tanks used by Brabham and Williams in Brazil. Nelson Piquet and Rosberg are disqualified from that race, handing the win to Alain Prost. Going forward, all cars must be weighed after the race in the condition in which they finish, eliminating the water-tank loophole. At this stage of the championship, Prost leads with 18 points, six ahead of Lauda, with Rosberg and Watson sharing third on eight points.

The FOCA teams — including Brabham, McLaren, Williams, and Lotus — have requested a postponement of this race to allow consideration of the court’s ruling. The Imola organisers refused to delay, so the FOCA teams are boycotting this round. Only seven teams take the start, giving a field of 14 cars: the FISA-aligned Ferrari, Renault, and Alfa Romeo squads, plus Tyrrell, Osella, ATS, and Toleman, who cite sponsor obligations in breaking the boycott. The race counts towards the World Championship.