Round 8 · 1981

French Grand Prix

CircuitDijon-PrenoisLocationPrenois, FranceDates5 Jul – 5 Jul 1981Final

WinnerPROToleman · from P3

PoleALX

Fastest lap1:09.140Prost · L64

Biggest gain+9Pironi P14→P5

Retirements6of 23 starters

Classification

Pos	Driver	Team	Grid	+/−	Laps	Time / Status	Pits	Pts
1	Alain Prost PRO	Toleman	3	+2	80	1:35:48.130 FL	—	9
2	John Watson WAT	McLaren	2	0	80	+2.290	—	6
3	Nelson Piquet Souto Maior PIQ	Brabham	4	+1	80	+24.220	—	4
4	Rene Alexandre Arnoux ALX	Toleman	1	-3	80	+42.300	—	3
5	Didier Pironi PIR	Ferrari	14	+9	79	+1 lap	—	2
6	Elio de Angelis DEA	Team Lotus	8	+2	79	+1 lap	—	1
7	Nigel Mansell MNS	Team Lotus	13	+6	79	+1 lap	—
8	Mario Andretti ANI	Alfa Romeo (1979–85)	10	+2	79	+1 lap	—
9	Hector Rebaque REB	Brabham	15	+6	78	+2 laps	—
10	Carlos Reutemann REU	Williams	7	-3	78	+2 laps	—
11	Andrea de Cesaris DEE	McLaren	5	-6	78	+2 laps	—
12	Marc Surer SUR	Theodore	21	+9	78	+2 laps	—
13	Eddie Cheever Jr CHE	Tyrrell	19	+6	77	+3 laps	—
14	Riccardo Patrese PAC	Arrows	18	+4	77	+3 laps	—
15	Bruno Giacomelli GIA	Alfa Romeo (1979–85)	12	-3	77	+3 laps	—
16	Michele Alboreto ALB	Tyrrell	23	+7	77	+3 laps	—
17	Alan Jones JOE	Williams	9	-8	76	+4 laps	—
—	Eliseo Salazar SAA	Ensign	22		6	DNF · L6	—
—	Jacques Laffite LAF	Ligier	6		57	DNF · L57	—
—	Brian Henton HEN	Toleman	—		0	DNQ	—
—	Patrick Tambay TAM	Ligier	16		30	DNF · L30	—
—	Gilles Villeneuve VIN	Ferrari	11		41	DNF · L41	—
—	Keke Rosberg ROG	Fittipaldi	17		11	DNF · L11	—
—	Derek Daly DAD	March	20		55	DNF · L55	—
—	Beppe Gabbiani GAB	Osella	—		0	DNQ	—
—	Siegfried Stohr STH	Arrows	—		0	DNQ	—
—	Chico Serra SER	Fittipaldi	24		0	DNS	—
—	Slim Borgudd BOR	ATS	—		0	DNQ	—
—	Derek Warwick WAW	Toleman	—		0	DNQ	—

Session schedule

Grand PrixFinal5 Jul 1981 04:00 UTC

Championship after round 8

Pos	Driver	Pts	Δ
1	Carlos Reutemann REU	37
2	Nelson Piquet Souto Maior PIQ	26	▲1
3	Alan Jones JOE	24	▼1
4	Gilles Villeneuve VIN	21
5	Jacques Laffite LAF	17
6	Alain Prost PRO	13	▲7
7	John Watson WAT	10	▲4
8	Riccardo Patrese PAC	10	▼2

Running totals from published race points.

Season	Event	Winner	Team	Grid
1979	French Grand Prix	Jean-Pierre Jabouille JAB	Alpine	1
1977	French Grand Prix	Mario Andretti ANI	Team Lotus	1
1974	French Grand Prix	Ronnie Peterson PEO	Team Lotus	2