The European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch was the penultimate round of the 1983 Formula 1 season, Alain Prost’s once sizeable lead in the World Championship had been eroded away by Brabham’s Nelson Piquet. Ferrari driver René Arnoux also stood a chance of taking the title.
Piquet First and Prost Second in European Grand Prix
Lotus proved to be surprisingly competitive during qualifying at Brands Hatch. Elio De Angelis claimed pole and his team-mate Nigel Mansell was third, with Riccardo Patrese’s Brabham sandwiched between them. Piquet was fourth, Arnoux fifth and Prost a disappointed eighth.
Patrese passed De Angelis at the start, while Mansell stayed in third position briefly before Piquet got past him. The Brazilian then found himself in first place after Patrese and De Angelis collided. Patrese was able to continue but De Angelis was forced to retire. Piquet went on to win the Grand Prix from Prost, with Mansell third and Andrea De Cesaris fourth in his Alfa Romeo. Both Toleman drivers scored points, with Derek Warwick fifth and Bruno Giacomelli sixth.
Rumours about Patrick Tambay’s future at Ferrari had been circulating for a while, but the team finally confirmed that the Frenchman would be dropped at the end of the season, to be replaced by Michele Alboreto. It seemed a curious decision, given Tambay’s strong showings throughout the season. The British journalist Nigel Roebuck gave his opinion in the October 6th, 1983 issue of Autosport magazine;
“I will always love Ferraris, no matter what, even if that affection does not extend to some of the company’s employees. For now, though, I feel strongly that Tambay is a victim of that illogical injustice which occasionally pervades the corridors of Maranello.”
Piquet Wins Second Formula 1 World Championship
The Formula 1 World Championship was decided in the final race of the season, the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Prost led the points standings going into the race, but Piquet was only two points behind. Arnoux only had an outside chance of taking the title. In qualifying Tambay reminded Ferrari what they were losing by taking pole, ahead of Piquet. Patrese was third, Arnoux fourth and Prost fifth.
Piquet pulled away at the front in the Grand Prix, while his title rivals both suffered failures which forced them to retire. Piquet’s main concern became reaching the end of the race and claiming the title, so he slowed his pace and allowed several cars through. Patrese won the race, with De Cesaris second. Piquet finished third, a position which confirmed him as World Champion for a second time. Warwick was fourth, Keke Rosberg fifth and Eddie Cheever sixth.
Renault and Prost were not best pleased with each other and split on bad terms soon after the end of the season. It was a good move on Prost’s part, as the Frenchman found himself in a very competitive McLaren for 1984.
Kevin Guthrie - Kevin is based in Fife, Scotland, where he works as a music teacher, professional drummer and freelance writer. At an early age he ...
