A pole and a collision
The 1983 Dutch Formula One Grand Prix was held at Zandvoort. The 72-lap race was won by René Arnoux driving a Ferrari, with team-mate Patrick Tambay second and John Watson third in a McLaren-Ford.
Picture above: Nelson Piquet captured pole position in his Brabham BT52B – BMW Turbo, at the 1983 Dutch Grand Prix in the Zandvoort dunes.
The two main title candidates Alain Prost (Renault) and Nelson Piquet (Brabham-BMW) collided midway through the race while challenging for the lead, allowing Arnoux to move into second in the Drivers’ Championship.
The race saw McLaren debut the new Porsche-built TAG-turbo engine. Niki Lauda (picture below) drove the TAG-powered MP4/1E but could only qualify 19th, and retired on lap 26 with a break failure. Glorious times were soon coming.
Photo Paul-Henri Cahier