Formula 1 - 1979 - Round 05 - Spanish GP

The 1979 Spanish Grand Prix, otherwise officially known as the XXV Gran Premio de España, was the fifth round of the 1979 FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuito del Jarama on the 29 April 1979.[1] The race, which was the 25th Spanish Grand Prix to be staged, would see Patrick Depailler sweep to victory after defeating teammate Jacques Laffite in an early fight for the lead.[1]

Qualifying had seen the latter claim pole position, Laffite adding another circuit record to his collection, with Depailler three tenths back in second.[1] Third would go to Championship leader Gilles Villeneuve, while defending Champion Mario Andretti would open the European phase of the Championship from fourth.[1]

Depailler ultimately made the best getaway at the start, easing ahead of Laffite before they braked for the first corner.[1] Villeneuve tried to go with them, but only succeeded in bouncing off the side of a fast starting Carlos Reutemann, and hence went spinning to the back of the pack.[1]

The two Ligiers quickly pulled clear of the chasing pack, while Villeneuve began a race long crusade to get back into the points.[1] Indeed, other than the fight out front it was the Canadian's progress that proved to be the main draw, although minor damage on the #12 Ferrari was hampering his progress.[1]

Laffite, meanwhile, would have one good shot at taking the lead from Depailler on lap fifteen, only to miss a gear and detonate his Ford Cosworth engine.[1] Depailler was hence left with a healthy lead over Reutemann, with the Argentine himself otherwise occupied defending from Jody Scheckter.[1]

It proved to be a very long battle for second, until Scheckter lost out to Niki Lauda in the closing stages, allowing Reutemann pulled clear.[1] The Austrian then began to hunt down Reutemann, but his Alfa Romeo engine expired before he could attack the Argentine's Lotus.[1]

Scheckter was hence promoted back into third, only to be caught by Mario Andretti during the final laps.[1] The American ace duly blasted past with a couple of laps to go, although Scheckter did his best to keep with the #1 Lotus as the final laps ticked away.[1]

Out front, meanwhile, Depailler was left to cruise home, twenty seconds clear of the two Loti, to claim his first win for Ligier. Reutemann was a safe second ahead of Andretti and Scheckter, while Jean-Pierre Jarier and Didier Pironi denied Villeneuve a points finish, the Canadian simply running out of time to catch the two Tyrrells.