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| Formula 1 season 1979 |
The 1979 Formula One season was a pivotal moment in motorsport history.
It marked the true beginning of the ground effect era, saw the first victory for a turbocharged engine, and showcased a wide range of innovative—and sometimes experimental—designs. It was a season of fierce competition, radical technology, and the emergence of new powerhouses.
Let’s take a closer look at the most iconic F1 cars from the 1979 season, each of which contributed to the drama and legacy of that unforgettable year.
Ferrari 312 T4
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| Ferrari 312 T4 🇮🇹 |
Ferrari came into 1979 determined to reclaim its crown—and they did just that. The 312 T4, designed by Mauro Forghieri, featured a flat-12 engine and clever aerodynamic tweaks to compensate for its wide engine, which limited full ground effect potential. Jody Scheckter and Gilles Villeneuve drove the car to six victories, with Scheckter winning the Drivers’ Championship and Ferrari securing the Constructors’ title. It wasn’t the most revolutionary car, but it was the most complete.
Williams FW07
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| Williams Cosworth FW07 🇬🇧 |
The FW07 was a game-changer for the rising Williams team. Inspired by the Lotus 79, designer Patrick Head created a lean, efficient ground effect car that debuted a few races into the season. By mid-year, it was clear Williams had built something special. Clay Regazzoni gave the team its first win at Silverstone, and Alan Jones followed with three victories. The FW07 was fast, reliable, and set the stage for Williams’ dominance in the early 1980s.
Ligier JS11
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| Ligier Cosworth JS11 🇫🇷 |
Ligier burst out of the gates in 1979 with the JS11, nicknamed the “blue rocket.” Designed by Gérard Ducarouge, it won the first two races of the season with Jacques Laffite. Its ground effect design delivered incredible grip—but also structural stress. As the season wore on, chassis flex became a serious issue, and Ligier’s early advantage faded. Still, the JS11 proved the French team could challenge the big names.
Renault RS10
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| Renault Turbo RS10 🇫🇷 |
“Renault’s RS10 made history in 1979 as the first turbocharged car to win a Grand Prix. Though turbo technology was still in its infancy and plagued with reliability issues, the RS10 showed massive potential. Jean-Pierre Jabouille’s victory at the French Grand Prix was a breakthrough moment, while his teammate René Arnoux engaged in one of F1’s most legendary battles with Villeneuve in the same race. The RS10 ushered in the turbo era and proved that innovation could beat tradition.
Alfa Romeo 177
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| Alfa Romeo V12 177 🇮🇹 |
After years away, Alfa Romeo returned to Formula 1 in 1979 with the 177. Though it wasn’t a front-runner, the car was a symbol of heritage and passion. Powered by a V12 engine, the 177 was bulky and underdeveloped, and it appeared in only a handful of races. Alfa would improve in later years, but the 177 was a nostalgic, if modest, first step back into the sport.’m
Tyrrell 009
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| Tyrrell Cosworth 009 🇬🇧 |
The Tyrrell 009 was a solid midfield contender. Designed by Maurice Philippe, it utilized ground effect technology but struggled to match the pace and consistency of its rivals. Drivers Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jarier kept the team in the hunt, but the 009 lacked the spark that had made Tyrrell a championship team earlier in the decade. Nevertheless, it was a respected and well-engineered car of its time.
Lotus 79
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| Lotus Cosworth 79 🇬🇧 |
Although it debuted in 1978, the Lotus 79 continued to race into 1979—and it still turned heads. The brainchild of Colin Chapman, the 79 was the first true ground effect car, and it had dominated the previous season. In 1979, it was beginning to show its age, but it remained competitive in the early races. Driven by Mario Andretti and Carlos Reutemann, the 79 was an enduring symbol of aerodynamic innovation.
Lotus 80
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| Lotus Cosworth 80 🇬🇧 |
The successor to the legendary 79, the Lotus 80 was an ambitious—but ultimately flawed—design. Aiming to generate all of its downforce from ground effect with no wings, the car was extremely unstable. It suffered from porpoising (bouncing due to fluctuating downforce), and drivers quickly lost confidence in it. The team soon reverted to the older 79. The Lotus 80 remains a bold “what could have been” in F1 history.
Final Thoughts
The 1979 Formula 1 season was about bold ideas, rapid development, and fierce racing. Ground effect was changing the sport, and teams like Williams and Renault were rising to challenge the old guard. While some cars became legends, others served as stepping stones toward future dominance.
From the brute force of the Ferrari 312 T4 to the radical edge of the Lotus 80, each machine from 1979 tells a part of the story of a transformative era in Formula 1.
If you’re a fan of vintage F1, which of these cars is your favorite? Or is there one you think deserves more recognition? Let me know in the comments!
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