Model produced by: Paul’s Model Art (Minichamps)
Year: 1979
Driver: Jody Scheckter (South Africa)
Team: Ferrari
Car: Ferrari 312T4
Results: 3 wins, 6 podiums, 1 pole
1979 saw Carlos Reutemann move to partner Mario Andretti at Lotus as Jody Scheckter took his seat at Ferrari. Wolf filled the gap left by Scheckter with James Hunt, and McLaren gave John Watson a drive in place of Hunt. The type 79 ‘wing car’ had offered Lotus a great advantage in aerodynamic grip during the previous season. But for this year, many of the teams had incorporated the technology into their designs. Over the first two races Ligier appeared to have made up the most ground with Jacques Laffite taking the victories. In round 3, Ferrari laid down the team’s intentions, giving the new 312T4 model its successful debut. As the season progressed Williams’ reliability improved and Alan Jones demonstrated the team’s pace, winning four out of the last six races. For Williams and Jones it was too little too late. The consistent performances from the Ferrari team had paid off, and despite only having three victories throughout the season, Scheckter took the title.
1979 also saw Formula One say its goodbyes to two of the decade’s greatest characters: James Hunt and Niki Lauda. Hunt quit racing after the Monaco Grand Prix claiming to be fed up with Formula One, and Lauda retired at the penultimate Grand Prix in Montreal informing Brabham owner Bernie Ecclestone he had no more desire to “drive around in circles”. Lauda, who had previously founded a charter airline, returned to Austria to run the company full-time.
See season review in three parts: one, two and three
Or see one of the best moments of the season: Rene Arnoux vs. Gilles Villeneuve
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