1980 Brazilian Grand Prix

The 1980 Brazilian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on January 27, 1980 at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in the Interlagos neighborhood of São Paulo. It was the second round of the 1980 Formula One season, and it was also the ninth Brazilian Grand Prix. It was the eighth to be held at Interlagos and would be the last until the circuit was substantially redeveloped for the 1990 Brazilian Grand Prix. The race was held over 40 laps of the 7.87-kilometre circuit for a total race distance of 315 kilometres.

Before the race, a number of drivers including world champion Jody Scheckter, wanted to boycott the event due to safety concerns with the Interlagos circuit. The circuit was extremely bumpy (which the circuit was well known for) and the catch-fencing and barriers surrounding the circuit were not perceived to be adequate enough to protect the drivers from the embankments and ditches around the circuit. Although Scheckter and the other concerned drivers nearly succeeded in stopping the race, it went ahead.

The race was won by French driver René Arnoux driving a Renault RE20. It was Arnoux's first World Championship victory and Equipe Renault's second and the second for a turbocharged car. Arnoux won by 21 seconds over Italian driver Elio de Angelis driving a Lotus 81. Championship points leader, Australian driver Alan Jones finished third in his Williams FW07B.

Thanks to the high altitude of the Interlagos circuit, the turbocharged Renaults of Jean-Pierre Jabouille and René Arnoux were dominant, running 1-2 for much of the race until Jabouille's turbo failed on lap 25. Pole-sitter Jabouille had made a poor start and dropped to fourth, with both Ligier JS11/15s and Gilles Villeneuve in his Ferrari 312T5 getting past; however, Jabouille's horsepower advantage on the high-altitude circuit meant that he passed both Ligiers; Jacques Laffite immediately on the Retao straight, Didier Pironi at Arquibacanas at the end of the first lap and took the lead from Villeneuve at the end of Reta Oposta into Curva do Sol. Arnoux had gotten up to 2nd, and when Jabouille retired Arnoux took the lead over and kept it until the checkered flag.

Alain Prost (McLaren M29) and Riccardo Patrese (Arrows A3) battled for much of the second half of the race for fifth place, with Prost having the advantage through the corners while Patrese was quicker in the straights. Ricardo Zunino (Brabham BT49) bumped into John Watson (McLaren M29) at Curva 3 and spun off; however, he was able to recover and finish the race.

Pironi had to make an early pit stop, and he rejoined near the back of the field, however he began a charge and he was able to finish 4th. This effort was enough for Enzo Ferrari to take an interest in Pironi's services; which he secured for the 1981 season.

Lap leaders

 * Gilles Villeneuve – 1 lap (1)
 * Jean-Pierre Jabouille – 25 laps (2–26)
 * René Arnoux – 14 laps (27–40)

Standings after the race

 * Drivers' Championship standings


 * Constructors' Championship standings


 * Note: Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings.