The 1979 Argentine Grand Prix required a restart after a major multi-car crash at the fast esses, also producing a notable technical ruling on fan devices.
Key Facts
- Date
- 21 January 1979
- Circuit
- Autódromo Municipal Ciudad de Buenos Aires
- Race Restarted
- Yes, due to a major crash at the fast esses
- Drivers in crash
- Scheckter, Piquet, Watson, Tambay, Andretti
- Technical disqualification
- James Hunt's Wolf WR7 initially ruled illegal
- Reason for ruling
- Fan impeller blades deemed an aerodynamic device
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Autódromo Municipal Ciudad de Buenos Aires hosted the first round of the 1979 Formula One season. James Hunt's Wolf WR7 came under scrutiny after qualifying when officials examined its clutch-driven impeller blades, ruling them an aerodynamic device and initially declaring the car illegal.
The race was restarted following a large crash at the second of the fast esses beyond the pit straight, which eliminated several prominent drivers including Jody Scheckter, Nelson Piquet, John Watson, Patrick Tambay, and Mario Andretti. Meanwhile, Wolf mechanics modified Hunt's fan to comply with the ruling, allowing the car to start.
The forced restart altered the race's outcome prospects for multiple leading drivers who had been eliminated in the first-lap incident. The technical ruling on Hunt's car also contributed to ongoing debate about aerodynamic device regulations in Formula One during this era.