1979 Canadian Grand Prix | |||
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Race 14 of 15 in the 1979 Formula One season | |||
Race details | |||
Date | 30 September 1979 | ||
Location | Circuit Île Notre-Dame, Montreal | ||
Course | Semi-permanent racing facility | ||
Course length | 4.500 km (2.796 miles) | ||
Distance | 72 laps, 324.000 km (201.324 miles) | ||
Weather | Partially cloudy, mild and dry with temperatures reaching up to 21 °C (70 °F); wind speeds up to 18.3 kilometres per hour (11.4 mph)[1] | ||
Pole position | |||
Driver | Williams-Ford | ||
Time | 1:29.892 | ||
Fastest lap | |||
Driver | Alan Jones | Williams-Ford | |
Time | 1:31.272 on lap 65 | ||
Podium | |||
First | Williams-Ford | ||
Second | Ferrari | ||
Third | Williams-Ford | ||
Lap leaders |
The 1979 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 30 September 1979 at the Circuit Île Notre-Dame, Montreal.
During practice Niki Lauda announced his retirement from Formula One. The Brabham team, who had replaced their Alfa Romeo-engined BT48 with the Cosworth DFV-engined BT49, recruited Argentine newcomer Ricardo Zunino as Lauda's replacement.
The organizers would not let the Alfa Romeo factory team compete unless they pre-qualified. They refused to do so but a compromise was reached where one of their drivers would be allowed to take part in practice. The other, Bruno Giacomelli, was not allowed to enter the race.
The race turned into a close duel between Alan Jones and Gilles Villeneuve that continued the entire race.
As of 2024, Regazzoni's podium remains the last for a Swiss driver in Formula One.