1980-1985 – Formula 1 (Vol 2)

1980-1985 was quite a time period in Formula 1. Politics, turbos, and aerodynamics

all combined into arguably the most exciting (and one of the strangest) time periods

in F1. From the legendary Cosworth engine to new turbo technology, every team was

scrambling to keep up with the seemingly weekly advancements in aerodynamics and

engine technology. This time period also saw the retirement of James Hunt. One of

the most controversial drivers ever in F1, Hunt moved into the broadcast booth

alongside Murray Walker, and his commentary, along with his brutal honesty, was

the stuff of legend. The legendary Niki Lauda returns after a horrific crash, and

a newcomer by the name of Ayrton Senna makes his debut.These are original films,

not contemporary videos of historic races or retrospectives.

1980 German Grand Prix Highlights – (35 min.)  
Live CBS-TV coverage (from the United States) of the 1980 German Grand Prix from Hockenheim. This
is the standard “live” coverage which was edited by the network for the available time slot. At the start,
Alan Jones jumps to the lead, but the power of the Renault turbos prove their worth as Jean-Pierre
Jabouille quickly passes Jones, while teammate Rene Arnoux (Renault) slots in behind. This would be
a war of attrition as many cars started to drop out with mechanical trouble. Jabouille had to stop with a
rear wing problem, Didier Peroni (Ligier) retired with a broken driveshaft, then both Renaults failed just
past the halfway point in the race. Jacques Laffite (Ligier) would go on to win, with Carlos Reutemann
second, and Alan Jones third. Ken Squire and David Hobbs on commentary.

1980 U.S. Grand Prix East – Watkins Glen NY – (27 min.)  
Live broadcast (edited down by the network for the time slot) from Watkins Glen, New York. This was the final
race of the 1980 season, and Alan Jones had already wrapped up the championship, but 70,000+ fans still
packed Watkins Glen to see the stars of Formula 1 do battle. Jean-Pierre Jabouille, who had run so well in his
Renault throughout the year, was out due to serious leg injuries that occurred in an accident at the previous
race in Montreal, Canada. Bruno Giacomelli stunned everyone when he took the pole in his Alfa Romeo. While
Bruno battled hard throughout the race, his success was short-lived as on lap 32, the Alfa Romeo’s engine
quit. Alan Jones would take the win, followed by Carlos Reutemann and Didier Peroni.

1981 U.S. Grand Prix West – Long Beach CA – (47 min.)  
Live coverage of the Long Beach Grand Prix. This is another fine CBS-TV broadcast, with commentary by
Ken Squire and David Hobbs. Coverage is picked up when the race is already in progress, but the start is
re-shown during the broadcast. This was the first race of the 1981 season (the first time that the opening
race of the season would be held in the U.S.), and Riccardo Patrese stunned everyone by placing his
Arrows on pole (the team’s first). Alain Prost (Renault) and Andrea de Cesaris (McLaren) collided on the
first lap and were both out. Lots of great action in this one. Alan Jones would take the win, followed by
Carlos Reutemann, Nelson Piquet, Mario Andretti, and Eddie Cheever.

1981 San Marino Grand Prix – (28 min.)  
The first ever San Marino Grand Prix! The popular Gilles Villeneuve placed his Ferrari on pole, followed by Carlos
Reutemann, then the Renaults of Alain Prost and Rene Arnoux. The new McLaren MP4/1 made its debut in the hands
of John Watson. This was a wet race, and a serious crash occurred on lap 1 involving three cars, and one driver
(Guerra) had to be cut from the car. In typical 1980’s F1 fashion, the race continued on with just a local yellow flag.
The Ferraris of Didier Peroni and Gilles Villeneuve were strong, with Villeneuve taking the lead. With the rain coming
and going at different times, there were many run offs, and Villeneuve was caught going to slicks, then having to
change back to wets. The race would finish with Nelson Piquet (Brabham) taking the win, followed by Patrese and
Reutemann. This is a BBC broadcast with Murray Walked and James Hunt on commentary.

1982 Canadian Grand Prix – (33 min.)  
Another live BBC broadcast, edited for time, of the 1982 Canadian Grand Prix. There was a bit of a dark
cloud over the event as the Canadian crowd was reeling from the death of Gilles Villeneuve a few weeks
earlier. Ferrari had decided to continue with just one car, with driver Didier Peroni. At the start, Peroni’s
Ferrari stalled on the grid, and while most everyone swerved around him, Raul Boesel clipped Peroni and
went off track. Tragedy struck when Riccardo Paletti (Osella) slammed into the back of the stalled Ferrari.
With the camera on Palletti’s car, the marshals worked to free him, aided by a frantic Didier Peroni, who had
leapt from his Ferrari to help. Without warning, the Osella-Cosworth burst into flames, and crews frantically
tried to extinguish the blaze while Paletti sat helpless in his cockpit. Sadly, Paletti would die later in the
hospital due to internal injuries caused by the initial collision. The race would be stopped and eventually
restarted after 6:00 pm. Nelson Piquet would take the win, followed by Riccardo Patrese and John Watson.

1983 – Ayrton Senna Tests  – (7 min.)  
Young Ayrton Senna is ready for his Formula 1 test, and he spends time with the Williams,
McLaren, and Toleman teams. All of the teams (including Lotus and Brabham) are anxious to
sign this incredibly talented young driver. Senna drives the Williams car, does 40 laps, and is
quicker than Williams #1 driver and reigning World Champion Keke Rosberg. This footage is not
subtitled, and much of it is in Senna’s native tongue, but the video is very clear.

1985 Austrian Grand Prix – (59 min.)
A live broadcast, edited for time, of the 1985 Austrian Grand Prix. Alain Prost was on pole in his McLaren,
followed by Nigel Mansell and Niki Lauda. Ayrton Senna was 14th on the grid after a rare poor qualifying
effort. On the start, Niki Lauda took the lead, but there was a major incident involving several cars before
the end of the first lap which brought out the red flag. The McLarens of Alain Prost and Niki Lauda were
soon in the lead. On lap 14, Andrea de Cesaris went wide and caught some dirt, sending his Ligier off
track. His car flipped several times and eventually landed on its wheels. He was unhurt, but Guy Ligier
fired him as soon as he returned to the pits. Niki Lauda had the race in hand when his turbo failed on lap
40, handing the lead to teammate Alain Prost. As a few other top runners suffer mechanical problems, the
Lotus of Ayrton Senna (who started 14th on the grid) continued to slice through the field, eventually
ending up in second place behind Alain Prost, with Michele Alboreto (Ferrari) third.