Carlos Reutemann defied team orders at the 1981 Brazilian Grand Prix, defeating teammate Alan Jones in a race that exposed tensions within the Williams Formula One team.
Key Facts
- Race date
- 29 March 1981
- Circuit
- Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro
- Championship round
- 2nd race of the 1981 F1 World Championship
- Winner
- Carlos Reutemann (Argentina)
- Runner-up
- Alan Jones (Williams team leader)
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Formula One transferred its Brazilian Grand Prix venue from Interlagos in São Paulo to the Jacarepaguá circuit in Rio de Janeiro, prompted by safety concerns over Interlagos's length and the perceived incompatibility of São Paulo's expanding slums with Formula One's public image.
Carlos Reutemann, driving for Williams, ignored pit signals instructing him to cede the lead to teammate and designated team leader Alan Jones. Reutemann maintained his position and crossed the finish line first, with Jones finishing second in a race marked by internal team conflict.
Jones refused to appear on the podium following the race, publicly signalling the breakdown of relations within the Williams team. The incident highlighted the tensions between Reutemann and Jones that would persist throughout the 1981 season, with implications for the drivers' championship battle.