The rain had marked the start of the exercise on Thursday in coaching and can be current once more on Sunday within the last a part of the race. Didier Pironi, who had simply received the Belgian GP in Zolder with the Ligier-Ford, took his massive second to the streets of Monaco, being the quickest in free observe on a moist monitor after which on Saturday, already on a dry monitor, on the hour of the classification, with Reutemann accompanying him within the entrance row.
On Sunday the day was cloudy and Pironi began effectively from pole adopted by Reutemann, who quickly after misplaced the second place by the hands of Alan Jones, his teammate in Williams. In the midst of the platoon, Derek Daly he braked when he reached Sainte Dedicate and struck the Alfa Romeo from behind. Bruno Giacomelli earlier than taking off and touchdown virtually on Jean-Pierre Jarier, his accomplice in Tyrrell.
Forward, Pironi led with Jones glued to the Frenchman’s automobile, whereas Reutemann was a couple of seconds behind, forward of Jacques Lafitte with the opposite Ligier, though later laps would type a prepare within the prime six accomplished by Patrick Depailler (Alfa Romeo) and Nelson piquet (Brabham).
Didier Pironi on the wheel of the Ligier-Ford. (Photograph: Jean-Philippe Legrand)
On the 25th of the 76 laps scheduled within the race, the primary blow of the scene would arrive when Jones retired within the pits with issues within the transmission of his FW07B, however that didn’t imply the top of the strain for Pironi, since Reutemann, already with out his companion forward, he started to strategy the French.
Reaching the center of the course Pironi lastly managed to get away and gave the impression to be heading for his second consecutive victory in Formulation 1, however his Ligier was starting to indicate gearbox issues, so he had to make use of it as little as potential and, when he did, he stored one hand on the lever whereas driving with the opposite.
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On the top of lap 45, some drops of rain started to fall within the On line casino sector, which might later translate into a light-weight drizzle that moist all the floor of the monitor however not one of the drivers selected to enter the pits to alter to tires of rain.
Ten laps later, the gearbox downside and the rain would make a combo too massive for Pironi, who as a result of slippery situations of the monitor needed to have each arms on the wheel when passing by way of the Plaza del On line casino on the time that he skipped the gearbox and misplaced management of his automobile, hitting the wall to wreck the left entrance tire and the suspension arm on the identical aspect.
Carlos Reutemann, Williams FW07B Ford. (Foto: LAT Pictures)
On this approach Reutemann inherited the primary place with a great distinction over Laffite and Piquet, however the rain and in addition doubts about his gearbox didn’t make the final 22 laps of “Lole” in any respect straightforward till the checkered flag.
“I gritted my tooth. I used to be first, however I couldn’t afford the slightest mistake. My visor had oil on it. I didn’t know who had thrown it at me. Jones or Pironi? I began to really feel exhausting in third gear, second … see higher the locations the place there was extra water, “defined Reutemann after the race.
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“On Thursday I had had issues with the third gear; they’d opened it and nothing may very well be discovered. On Saturday, once more. And now … I noticed that my left rear tire was not sporting as I needed, however … it was getting much less and fewer. the extra it rained, I see that they increase the checkered flag, “added the brand new winner.
Reutemann’s victory in Monaco marked his return to F1 triumph after a troublesome ’79 season with Lotus and a begin to the marketing campaign with Williams that had seen him with three retirements within the first 5 races. And though “Lole” wouldn’t win once more in 1980, the Argentine would reap one other six podiums to shut the third 12 months within the drivers’ contest. The next 12 months I might be even greater within the standings, however that’s one other story …
Podium: race winner Carlos Reutemann, Williams FW07B with Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco
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Photograph by: LAT Pictures
Carlos Reutemann, Williams FW07B
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Photograph by: Sutton Motorsport Pictures
Carlos Reutemann, Williams FW07B Ford
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Photograph by: LAT Pictures
Carlos Reutemann, Williams FW07B Ford
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Photograph by: LAT Pictures
Carlos Reutemann, Williams FW07B Ford y Jacques Laffite, Ligier JS11 / 15 Ford
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Photograph by: LAT Pictures
Carlos Reutemann, Williams FW07B Ford
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Photograph by: LAT Pictures
* Quote from Reutemann taken from the guide “Los Días de Reutemann”, by Alfredo Parga.
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