Flat out over the bumps

The 1983 United States Formula 1 Grand Prix West was held at Long Beach, California. Once again, this street circuit had been slightly modified, primarily to free up Ocean Boulevard. The pits were moved to the long, curving Shoreline Drive section, where the start and finish lines were reunited for the first time since 1977.

As practice began on Friday, two bumps where the circuit rejoined the old layout at the end of the Seaside Way straight were causing problems. Some teams were concerned that the suspension on their cars would not last more than a few laps. Early on René Arnoux (Ferrari, picture above) was the first to go over the bumps flat out and led Prost (Renault), Tambay (Ferrari) and Patrese (Brabham).

The Ferraris were obviously at ease on the Long Beach bumps, and Tambay took a convincing pole position in front of his team mate Arnoux and Keke Rosberg in his Williams. Things looked good for the Scuderia.

The race took place in warm and sunny conditions. Tension at the start: while Tambay took the lead, Rosberg immediately behind him, tried to squeeze through the middle of the all-Ferrari front row, and touched Arnoux’s front wing, but both continued.

In these weather conditions, tyre wear was an important parameter in the race, and John Watson, driving a McLaren MP4-1c, picture below, managed the bumps and the traps of this circuit perfectly, took his fifth and final F1 victory having started from 22nd position, the lowest from which a driver has won an F1 race!