Find the right set-up…

Gordon Murray, surrounded by his two Brabham drivers, Brazilian Nelson Piquet and Argentinian Ricardo Zunino, seemed perplexed analyzing the data before the start of the 1980 Belgian Grand Prix, which took place at the Zolder circuit.

Indeed, Piquet, who qualified 7th, was 1.1 seconds behind Alan Jones (Williams FW07) on pole position, while Zunino was 22nd, more than 4 seconds behind the Australian. No more success in the race, where both Brabhams were quickly forced to retire, with victory going to Didier Pironi in his Ligier JS11-15.

Nelson Piquet would nevertheless have an excellent 1980 campaign, winning three Grand Prix – Long Beach (first victory of his career), Zandvoort and Monza – and would finish second in the drivers’ championship, between the two Williams of Jones (champion) and Reutemann.

Ricardo Zunino will be three steps below performance-wise, will not score any championship points, 7th in Argentina and 8th in Brazil, and will be replaced by Héctor Rebaque from the British Grand Prix onwards, the Mexican scoring the point for sixth place in Canada (photo below).