The 1980 United States Grand Prix East was the final Formula One race at Watkins Glen and the last US Grand Prix for nine years.
Key Facts
- Race date
- October 5, 1980
- Circuit length
- 5.435 km (3.377 mi)
- Total race distance
- 320.67 km (199.26 mi)
- Number of laps
- 59
- Winner
- Alan Jones (Williams FW07B)
- Winning margin
- 4 seconds over Carlos Reutemann
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 1980 Formula One season included two American rounds; the United States Grand Prix East at Watkins Glen was designated the fourteenth and final race of the season, held separately from the Long Beach event to avoid confusion between the two US-hosted races.
On October 5, 1980, newly crowned World Champion Alan Jones of Australia won the race driving a Williams FW07B, finishing four seconds ahead of teammate Carlos Reutemann, with Didier Pironi third in his Ligier. It was the 30th United States Grand Prix and the 20th and last held at Watkins Glen.
The race marked the end of Watkins Glen's long association with Formula One. Two former World Champions, Emerson Fittipaldi and Jody Scheckter, retired from the sport after the event, and no race was formally billed as the United States Grand Prix for the next nine years.