1981 Austrian Grand Prix — 353rd Grand Prix valid for the Formula 1 world championship
Jacques Laffite won the 1981 Austrian Grand Prix, tightening the Formula One Drivers' Championship contest with only six points separating second and first place.
Key Facts
- Race winner
- Jacques Laffite (Talbot Ligier-Matra)
- Number of laps
- 53 laps
- Pole position
- René Arnoux (Renault)
- Championship round
- 11th race of 1981 season
- Points gap after race
- Piquet 6 points behind Reutemann
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 1981 Formula One World Championship was deep into its season by mid-August, with Argentine Carlos Reutemann holding the Drivers' Championship lead heading into the eleventh round at the Österreichring circuit in Austria. René Arnoux had secured pole position for Renault, setting the stage for a competitive race.
On 16 August 1981, Jacques Laffite drove his Talbot Ligier-Matra to victory over 53 laps at the Österreichring. René Arnoux finished second despite starting from pole, while Nelson Piquet claimed third place in his Brabham-Ford. Championship leader Carlos Reutemann finished fifth in his Williams-Ford.
Laffite's victory reshuffled the championship standings, with Piquet closing to within six points of Reutemann's lead. This narrowed gap intensified the title fight in the remaining races of the 1981 season, keeping several drivers mathematically in contention for the championship.
Result
at Österreichring, Austria