1980 Brazilian Grand PrixQualifying
Alan Jones took pole around the long Interlagos circuit, further highlighting Lotus' improved pace. Callum McAllister lined his Williams up in 3rd, ahead of the two Brabhams, Scheckter, Laffite, Jones, and Arnoux. Jan Lammers performed miracles in the RAM, while Andretti was strong in the Merzario, and Valentino Nicchi impressed on his debut, setting the 16th fastest time. Team mate Brancatelli was 20th, ahead of both Shadows, Takagi, and Rossler, who qualified an Ensign for the first time this year. Derek Daly and Rupert Keegan scraped onto the grid by a tenth of a second, with Ghinzani, Patrese, Mansell, Rangelov, Stohr, Nurmester, Horford, Prost, Depault, and O'Connell failing to make it.
Race
PositivesLarry Perkins - Well, Australia recieves it's second Grand Prix winner in as many years, and you can't say he didn't deserve. Yes, Perkins may have gifted the lead by two mechanical failures - Alan Jones' and Callum McAllister's engines, if you want specifics - but he held on to that lead for 25 laps, despite pressure from team mate Nelson Piquet. When Piquet retired, new 2nd place man Harvey Jones couldn't keep up with the man from down under, with Perkins going on to win by 23 seconds.
Drive of the RaceLotus - Despite unreliability issues robbing Alan Jones of a certain win, Lotus are featured in the positives due to their ever impressive pace. Jones' pole confirmed that victory at South Africa was not a fluke, and the team were on the pace all weekend. Harvey Jones was consistent, if lacking that final bit of speed needed to take the win, and Alan Jones would have certainly won if not for that retirement. A title challenge is now expected from the British team, and they should be disappointed if their charge comes to nothing.
NegativesWhere to start?
Didier Pironi - What do you do if you've just qualified for your first race of the season? Take it easy to try and finish? Stay out of trouble? Well, that's what Pironi didn't do. At all. In fact, this may even be the dictionary proof of the phrase 'to not do something'. On lap 5, Pironi launched an ambitious move down the inside of the much faster Stefan Bellof. As Bellof turned into the corner, Pironi stuck his car down the inside, hittting Bellof's right rear wheel, putting Bellof out of the race instantly. Pironi, minus one front wing, spun, but was collected by Gianfranco Branncatelli. Brancatelli, with no where to go, ploughed straight into Pironi, putting him and Pironi out of the race. Thankfully, all 3 drivers walked away with no injuries, but Pironi did manage to bag himself
Reject of the RaceMario Andretti - When Marc Surer passed Mario Andretti on lap 2, while the pair were stuck behind Lammers, who thought that Mario would be stuck behind the Audi for a total of 35 laps? And when he did manage to pass Surer, with 3 to go, Surer promptly pulled into the pits to retire. And you thought David Coulthard was being original...
Jody Scheckter - Despite finishing 3rd, that doesn't tell the whole story. He only qualified 5th, and struggled to pass anyone all day, or make inroads into Harvey Jones.
Ferrari - Off the pace again all weekend, Rene Arnoux dropped like a lead balloon in the race, unsurprisingly. Then, both cars retired within a lap of each other. Oh, Ferrari only have one finish from 6 starts so far, and no points.
AwardsReject of the Race - Didier Pironi (Tyrrell)
Drive of the Race - Larry Perkins (Brabham)
Premature Debut Award - Valentino Nicchi. Brake failure resulted in an alarming crash that somehow he walked away from.
1+2 = 456 Award - Mario Andretti, for somehow managing to finish 3 minutes behind the leader, when the average lap time is 2:22.XXX.
Close, but no Cigar - Marc Surer, for retiring on the penultimate lap.
The JJMonty Picture Gallery
And they're go go go

Valentino Nicchi's brakes fail...

...Sending him into the barriers...

...Into the air....

...befre landing again.

Pironi hits Bellof...

...Spins...

...Brancatelli approaches...

...contact....

...aftermath.

The view from Andretti's car. This photo was taken somewhere between laps 3 and 38.

The view from Surer's car. Villeneuve was close, but like Mario, couldn't make a move.

Callum McAllister makes sure the catch fencing is in working order

Nelson Piquet retires, leaving Perkins with no opposition for the win.
Driver's Championship1. Harvey Jones - 17
2. Larry Perkins - 13
3. Callum McAllister - 12
= Jody Scheckter - 12
5. Alan Jones - 7
6. Jean-Pierre Jabouille - 5
= Nelson Piquet - 5
8. Carlos Reutemann - 3
= Edward Kevin - 3
= Jacques Laffite - 3
11. Guilliame Gaithier - 1
12. Mario Andretti - 1
Constructor's Championship1. Lotus-Renault - 24 (1 win, 2 x 2nd )
= Williams-Honda - 24 (1 win, 1 x 2nd)
3 Brabham-Renault - 18
4. Renault - 8
5. Ligier-Talbot - 6
6. McLaren-Ford - 1
7. Merzario-Lamborghini - 1