Piquet’s first G.P. triumph

Press, 1 April 1980, Page 32

Piquet’s first G.P. triumph

NZPA-Reuter Long Beach, California

Nelson Piquet, of Brazil, opened his Formula One account with an emphatic victory in the United States (West) Grand Prix motor race at Long Beach, California yesterday. ■The 27-year old Brabham driver dominated practice and led throughout the 805 lap (261.70 km battle through the streets of the resort town.

Piquet, competing in only his second full season at the top, outclassed his more experienced rivals and moved from third to joint first place in the world championship. It was his first triumph in 24 grand prixs.. Riccardo Patrese, of Italy, also moved into contention for the title by finishing second, and his Arrows team mate Jochen Mass, of West Germany, was sixth.

The twice world champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, of Brazil, enjoyed a rare third place — his last grand prix win was 'in 1975 — and Britain’s John Watson also gained his first points of the season with fourth place in a McLaren.

The reigning world champion, Jody Scheckter, second last year, came fifth but it was the Ferrari team’s best finish of the season.

The race was marred by two accidents, the worst of which involved the Swiss veteran, Clay Regazzoni. His Ensign slammed into a concrete wall at about 160 km/h and Regazzoni was trapped in the car for -25 minutes while trackside marshals tried to free him.

Eyewitnesses said that the Swiss was conscious and talking to his rescuers when he was finally removed and taken to hospital.

Earlier a Lotus driver, Elio de Angelis, of Italy, was involved in a collision and a medical report said he had possibly broken his foot. The Frenchman, Patrick Depailler, slotted his Alfa Romeo into second place behind Piquet at the start but he was soon overtaken by the Williams of the Australian, Alan Jones. Jones, recently recovered from a bout of pleurisy, spun out after the midway mark, but the championship leader, Rene Arnoux, of France, the winner of the last two rounds in Brazil and South Africa in his Renault fought His way back to third place behind Patrese before disappearing from the

leader board near the end. World drivers’ championship standings after four rounds. — Rene Arnoux (France), Nelson Piquet (Brazil,) 18 points equal 1; Alan Jones (Australia) 13, 3; Riccardo Patrese (Italy), Didier Pironi (France,) 7, equal 4; Elio De Angelis (Italy), Jacques Laffite (France), 6, Equal 6; Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil), Keke Rosberg (Finland) 4, equal 8; Derek Daly (Ireland), Alain Prost (France), John Watson (Britain), 3, equal 10; Bruno Giacomelli (Italy), Jochen Mass (West Germany), Carlos Reutemann (Argentina), Jody Scheckter (South Africa), 2, equal 13.