Nelson Piquet gave his home crowd the perfect start to the 1983 F1 World Championship, taking victory at Jacarepaguá in Brabham’s striking new BT52. Keke Rosberg supplied the early challenge, but a fiery pit stop and a subsequent disqualification left second place officially vacant, with Niki Lauda classified third.
Race Guide
Season: 1983 F1 World Championship
Race date: 13 March 1983
Race start time: Start time unconfirmed local time (UTC-03:00)
Circuit: Jacarepaguá
Laps: 63 laps
Circuit length: 5.031 km
1982 winner: Alain Prost
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Keke Rosberg | Williams |
| Pole time | 1:34.526 | |
| Fastest lap | Nelson Piquet | Brabham |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:39.829 on lap 4 | |
| First | Nelson Piquet | Brabham |
| Second | Not awarded | — |
| Third | Niki Lauda | McLaren |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 11 March 1983 | Practice 1 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 11 March 1983 | Qualifying 1 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 12 March 1983 | Practice 2 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 12 March 1983 | Qualifying 2 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 13 March 1983 | Warm-up | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 13 March 1983 | Race | Start time unconfirmed |
All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.
Championship background
Flat-bottom regulations had forced a major rethink over the winter, sweeping away the underbody tunnels of the previous generation. Turbo power was increasingly important, but reigning champion Keke Rosberg arrived determined to show that a light, agile Williams with a Cosworth engine still had plenty to offer.
Race entries
René Rene Arnoux joined Patrick Tambay at Ferrari, Eddie Cheever partnered Alain Prost at Renault, and Jacques Laffite returned to Williams alongside Keke Rosberg. Danny Sullivan, Johnny Cecotto and Corrado Fabi began their Formula 1 careers with Tyrrell, Theodore and Osella respectively, while RAM entered Eliseo Salazar. Lotus split its approach between Elio de Angelis in the Renault-powered 93T and Nigel Mansell in the Cosworth-powered 92.
Friday Free Practice
The heat immediately put the new cars to work. Patrick Tambay’s Ferrari suffered fuel vaporisation during Friday’s untimed running, with the resulting rough operation damaging the distributor drive. Brabham also had a handling puzzle: heat from the turbocharger was affecting a rear damper. Those problems mattered as much as outright pace, with teams still learning how their new flat-bottom cars behaved over a sustained run.
Friday Qualifying
Keke Rosberg delivered the surprise of Friday with a 1:34.526 lap, putting his Cosworth-powered Williams ahead of the turbocharged opposition. Alain Prost came closest in the Renault, while Patrick Tambay recovered from his morning problems to take third provisionally. Keke Rosberg’s combination of a light chassis, qualifying tyres and confidence underlined why the reigning champion could not be dismissed.
Friday Qualifying Classification
1983 Brazilian Grand Prix first qualifying session, 11 March 1983
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:34.526 | — |
| 2 | 15 | Alain Prost | Renault | 1:34.672 | — |
| 3 | 27 | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari | 1:34.993 | — |
| 4 | 35 | Derek Warwick | Toleman | 1:35.206 | — |
| 5 | 5 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:35.815 | — |
| 6 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:35.958 | — |
| 7 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:36.054 | — |
| 8 | 23 | Mauro Baldi | Alfa Romeo | 1:36.126 | — |
| 9 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:36.390 | — |
| 10 | 36 | Bruno Giacomelli | Toleman | 1:36.747 | — |
| 11 | 25 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ligier | 1:36.828 | — |
| 12 | 16 | Eddie Cheever | Renault | 1:37.005 | — |
| 13 | 33 | Roberto Guerrero | Theodore | 1:37.237 | — |
| 14 | 7 | John Watson | McLaren | 1:37.844 | — |
| 15 | 2 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:38.234 | — |
| 16 | 34 | Johnny Cecotto | Theodore | 1:38.378 | — |
| 17 | 26 | Raul Boesel | Ligier | 1:38.741 | — |
| 18 | 3 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | 1:38.747 | — |
| 19 | 4 | Danny Sullivan | Tyrrell | 1:39.697 | — |
| 20 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:40.056 | — |
| 21 | 29 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:40.255 | — |
| 22 | 31 | Corrado Fabi | Osella | 1:41.316 | — |
| 23 | 30 | Chico Serra | Arrows | 1:41.472 | — |
| 24 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:42.098 | — |
| 25 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:42.292 | — |
| 26 | 17 | Eliseo Salazar | RAM | 1:44.357 | — |
| 27 | 32 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:46.964 | — |
Saturday Free Practice
Brabham fitted improvised cooling ducts for Saturday to tackle the damper problem, though Riccardo Patrese also lost oil through a disconnected line. McLaren’s changes from its earlier testing set-up had proved unhelpful, prompting a return towards familiar settings. Lotus was still struggling to extract consistent performance from its two very different cars, leaving both drivers with considerable work before the race.
Saturday Qualifying
Keke Rosberg’s Friday time survived Saturday, securing pole ahead of Alain Prost and Patrick Tambay. Nelson Piquet lined up fourth, well placed for a race in which Brabham expected to be stronger than its qualifying position suggested. Andrea de Cesaris was excluded after failing to stop for a weight check, allowing Eliseo Salazar onto the grid; Piercarlo Ghinzani failed to qualify.
Saturday Qualifying Classification
1983 Brazilian Grand Prix second qualifying session, 12 March 1983
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari | 1:34.758 | — |
| 2 | 15 | Alain Prost | Renault | 1:34.873 | — |
| 3 | 5 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:35.114 | — |
| 4 | 1 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:35.226 | — |
| 5 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:35.547 | — |
| 6 | 16 | Eddie Cheever | Renault | 1:36.051 | — |
| 7 | 3 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | 1:36.291 | — |
| 8 | 25 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ligier | 1:36.393 | — |
| 9 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:36.454 | — |
| 10 | 23 | Mauro Baldi | Alfa Romeo | 1:36.652 | — |
| 11 | 33 | Roberto Guerrero | Theodore | 1:36.694 | — |
| 12 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:36.827 | — |
| 13 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:36.900 | — |
| 14 | 7 | John Watson | McLaren | 1:36.977 | — |
| 15 | 26 | Raul Boesel | Ligier | 1:37.729 | — |
| 16 | 29 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:38.468 | — |
| 17 | 4 | Danny Sullivan | Tyrrell | 1:38.686 | — |
| 18 | 2 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:38.725 | — |
| 19 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:39.154 | — |
| 20 | 34 | Johnny Cecotto | Theodore | 1:39.178 | — |
| 21 | 30 | Chico Serra | Arrows | 1:39.965 | — |
| 22 | 31 | Corrado Fabi | Osella | 1:40.309 | — |
| 23 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:41.153 | — |
| 24 | 17 | Eliseo Salazar | RAM | 1:41.478 | — |
| 25 | 32 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:42.267 | — |
| 26 | 35 | Derek Warwick | Toleman | 16:44.720 | — |
| 27 | 36 | Bruno Giacomelli | Toleman | 26:16.700 | — |
Combined Qualifying Classification
Each driver’s faster time from the two qualifying sessions determined the overall order.
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Friday Time | Saturday Time | Best Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:34.526 | 1:35.226 | 1:34.526 | — |
| 2 | 15 | Alain Prost | Renault | 1:34.672 | 1:34.873 | 1:34.672 | — |
| 3 | 27 | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari | 1:34.993 | 1:34.758 | 1:34.758 | — |
| 4 | 5 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:35.815 | 1:35.114 | 1:35.114 | — |
| 5 | 35 | Derek Warwick | Toleman | 1:35.206 | 16:44.720 | 1:35.206 | — |
| 6 | 28 | René Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:36.390 | 1:35.547 | 1:35.547 | — |
| 7 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:35.958 | 1:36.827 | 1:35.958 | — |
| 8 | 16 | Eddie Cheever | Renault | 1:37.005 | 1:36.051 | 1:36.051 | — |
| 9 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:36.054 | 1:36.900 | 1:36.054 | — |
| 10 | 23 | Mauro Baldi | Alfa Romeo | 1:36.126 | 1:36.652 | 1:36.126 | — |
| 11 | 3 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | 1:38.747 | 1:36.291 | 1:36.291 | — |
| 12 | 25 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ligier | 1:36.828 | 1:36.393 | 1:36.393 | — |
| 13 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:40.056 | 1:36.454 | 1:36.454 | — |
| 14 | 33 | Roberto Guerrero | Theodore | 1:37.237 | 1:36.694 | 1:36.694 | — |
| 15 | 36 | Bruno Giacomelli | Toleman | 1:36.747 | 26:16.700 | 1:36.747 | — |
| 16 | 7 | John Watson | McLaren | 1:37.844 | 1:36.977 | 1:36.977 | — |
| 17 | 26 | Raul Boesel | Ligier | 1:38.741 | 1:37.729 | 1:37.729 | — |
| 18 | 2 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:38.234 | 1:38.725 | 1:38.234 | — |
| 19 | 34 | Johnny Cecotto | Theodore | 1:38.378 | 1:39.178 | 1:38.378 | — |
| 20 | 29 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:40.255 | 1:38.468 | 1:38.468 | — |
| 21 | 4 | Danny Sullivan | Tyrrell | 1:39.697 | 1:38.686 | 1:38.686 | — |
| 22 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:42.098 | 1:39.154 | 1:39.154 | — |
| 23 | 30 | Chico Serra | Arrows | 1:41.472 | 1:39.965 | 1:39.965 | — |
| 24 | 31 | Corrado Fabi | Osella | 1:41.316 | 1:40.309 | 1:40.309 | — |
| 25 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:42.292 | 1:41.153 | 1:41.153 | — |
| 26 | 17 | Eliseo Salazar | RAM | 1:44.357 | 1:41.478 | 1:41.478 | — |
| 27 | 32 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:46.964 | 1:42.267 | 1:42.267 | — |
| EX † | 22 | Andrea de Cesaris | Alfa Romeo | — | — | — | — |
Sunday warm-up
Sunday’s final running was particularly useful for Marc Surer, who had been unwell during the weekend and finally began to get more from his Arrows. Elsewhere, the contrast in race plans was becoming clear: Williams and Brabham were preparing to stop for fuel, while Ferrari intended to run through. The warm-up therefore led into a contest in which fuel load, tyre life and pit work would all influence the opening order.
What happened in the 1983 Brazilian Grand Prix?
Keke Rosberg led away, but Nelson Piquet moved ahead on lap seven and began to establish control. The Brabham’s pace gave the Brazilian room to execute his planned fuel-and-tyre stop without surrendering the initiative for long. Behind him, the opening race quickly became a demanding test of the new machinery.
Keke Rosberg’s stop was much more dramatic. Fuel ignited around the Williams, forcing him to climb out before the fire was extinguished. He resumed after a push-start and fought back to finish second on the road, only to be disqualified for the assistance. The officials left second place vacant rather than promoting the drivers behind him.
Nelson Piquet therefore celebrated a commanding home victory, with Niki Lauda officially third and Jacques Laffite fourth after a strong recovery from the midfield. Patrick Tambay and Marc Surer completed the points. Elio de Angelis was also disqualified after switching from his turbocharged Lotus to the Cosworth car following trouble before the start, completing an unusually complicated opening classification.
After the race, Nelson Piquet headed the drivers’ standings with 9 points, followed by Niki Lauda on 4. Brabham – BMW led the constructors’ table on 9, with McLaren – Ford on 4.
1983 Brazilian Grand Prix race results
The 1983 Brazilian Grand Prix was held on 13 March 1983.
1983 Brazilian Grand Prix Fastest Laps
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 4 | 1:39.829 |
| 2 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 4 | 1:40.512 |
| 3 | 1 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 3 | 1:40.523 |
| 4 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 16 | 1:41.163 |
| 5 | 7 | John Watson | McLaren | 20 | 1:41.547 |
| 6 | 16 | Eddie Cheever | Renault | 22 | 1:41.951 |
| 7 | 2 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 49 | 1:42.343 |
| 8 | 15 | Alain Prost | Renault | 4 | 1:42.636 |
| 9 | 29 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 22 | 1:42.657 |
| 10 | 33 | Roberto Guerrero | Theodore | 49 | 1:42.849 |
| 11 | 27 | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari | 30 | 1:42.940 |
| 12 | 35 | Derek Warwick | Toleman | 44 | 1:43.037 |
| 13 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 41 | 1:43.159 |
| 14 | 25 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ligier | 4 | 1:43.193 |
| 15 | 34 | Johnny Cecotto | Theodore | 48 | 1:43.241 |
| 16 | 3 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | 4 | 1:43.304 |
| 17 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 5 | 1:43.426 |
| 18 | 23 | Mauro Baldi | Alfa Romeo | 3 | 1:43.514 |
| 19 | 30 | Chico Serra | Arrows | 58 | 1:43.900 |
| 20 | 26 | Raul Boesel | Ligier | 6 | 1:44.027 |
| 21 | 36 | Bruno Giacomelli | Toleman | 3 | 1:44.178 |
| 22 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 7 | 1:44.367 |
| 23 | 31 | Corrado Fabi | Osella | 12 | 1:44.476 |
| 24 | 4 | Danny Sullivan | Tyrrell | 16 | 1:44.697 |
| 25 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 46 | 1:45.355 |
| 26 | 17 | Eliseo Salazar | RAM | 42 | 1:45.681 |
Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.
1983 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings
Championship standings after the 1983 Brazilian Grand Prix.
1983 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
| POS | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brazilian | Brabham | 9 |
| 2 | Niki Lauda | Austrian | McLaren | 4 |
| 3 | Jacques Laffite | French | Williams | 3 |
| 4 | Patrick Tambay | French | Ferrari | 2 |
| 5 | Marc Surer | Swiss | Arrows | 1 |
| – | Alain Prost | French | Renault | 0 |
| – | Derek Warwick | British | Toleman | 0 |
| – | Chico Serra | Brazilian | Arrows | 0 |
| – | René Arnoux | French | Ferrari | 0 |
| – | Danny Sullivan | American | Tyrrell | 0 |
| – | Nigel Mansell | British | Lotus | 0 |
| – | Johnny Cecotto | Venezuelan | Theodore | 0 |
| – | Eliseo Salazar | Chilean | RAM | 0 |
| – | Manfred Winkelhock | German | ATS | 0 |
| – | Keke Rosberg | Finnish | Williams | 0 |
| – | Elio de Angelis | Italian | Lotus | 0 |
| – | Roberto Guerrero | Colombian | Theodore | 0 |
| – | Eddie Cheever | American | Renault | 0 |
| – | John Watson | British | McLaren | 0 |
| – | Raul Boesel | Brazilian | Ligier | 0 |
| – | Mauro Baldi | Italian | Alfa Romeo | 0 |
| – | Jean-Pierre Jarier | French | Ligier | 0 |
| – | Riccardo Patrese | Italian | Brabham | 0 |
| – | Corrado Fabi | Italian | Osella | 0 |
| – | Bruno Giacomelli | Italian | Toleman | 0 |
| – | Michele Alboreto | Italian | Tyrrell | 0 |
1983 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brabham – BMW | 9 |
| 2 | McLaren – Ford | 4 |
| 3 | Williams – Ford | 3 |
| 4 | Ferrari | 2 |
| 5 | Arrows – Ford | 1 |
| — | Renault | 0 |
| — | Toleman – Hart | 0 |
| — | Tyrrell – Ford | 0 |
| — | Lotus – Ford | 0 |
| — | Theodore – Ford | 0 |
| — | RAM – Ford | 0 |
| — | ATS – BMW | 0 |
| — | Ligier – Ford | 0 |
| — | Alfa Romeo | 0 |
| — | Osella – Ford | 0 |
Drivers counted their best eleven results; constructors counted every round. The standings here show the position after this race.
1983 Formula 1 Race Calendar
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