Ferrari turned an unpromising start into a one-two at Circuit Zandvoort after Alain Prost and Nelson Piquet collided while fighting for the lead. René Rene Arnoux won ahead of Patrick Tambay, with John Watson third and Derek Warwick finally earning both his own and Toleman’s first championship points.
Race Guide
Season: 1983 F1 World Championship
Race date: 28 August 1983
Race start time: Start time unconfirmed local time (UTC+02:00)
Circuit: Circuit Zandvoort
Laps: 72 laps
Circuit length: 4.252 km
1982 winner: Didier Pironi
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Nelson Piquet | Brabham |
| Pole time | 1:15.630 | |
| Fastest lap | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:19.863 on lap 33 | |
| First | René Arnoux | Ferrari |
| Second | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari |
| Third | John Watson | McLaren |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 26 August 1983 | Practice 1 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 26 August 1983 | Qualifying 1 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 27 August 1983 | Practice 2 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 27 August 1983 | Qualifying 2 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 28 August 1983 | Warm-up | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 28 August 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
Alain Prost arrived at round 12 leading the 1983 F1 World Championship on 51 points, with Nelson Piquet on 37. Renault headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 68 points.
Race entries
McLaren introduced its Porsche-built TAG turbo engine in Niki Lauda’s MP4/1E, while John Watson retained Cosworth power. Michele Alboreto raced Tyrrell’s new 012, giving the team two different chassis alongside Danny Sullivan’s older car. The driver line-ups otherwise remained unchanged.
Friday Free Practice
Friday’s warm conditions gave McLaren its first championship running with the TAG-powered car. Its straight-line speed was promising, but braking and handling still needed work, and John Watson remained quicker in the familiar Cosworth car. Ferrari also had plenty to solve: Rene Arnoux’s weekend was disrupted by engine, electronics and turbocharger problems, repeatedly forcing attention onto the spare.
Friday Qualifying
De Elio de Angelis set Friday’s fastest time in the Lotus, continuing the 94T’s strong run of qualifying form. The battle involved the principal turbo teams, while McLaren concentrated on learning its new package. Rene Arnoux’s problems prevented him joining the fight at the very front.
Friday Qualifying Classification
1983 Dutch Grand Prix first qualifying session, 26 August 1983
Saturday Free Practice
Cooler weather arrived on Saturday, with Niki Lauda’s new McLaren also suffering turbo trouble. The car’s potential was evident, but extracting a complete lap remained a development exercise. At the front, Lotus looked much more settled, while Brabham’s straight-line performance made Nelson Piquet a serious threat. Rene Arnoux still lacked the clean preparation enjoyed by several of his rivals.
Saturday Qualifying
Nelson Piquet took pole on Saturday, with Patrick Tambay alongside and de Elio de Angelis third. Alain Prost qualified fourth ahead of Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese, while Rene Arnoux was only tenth. John Watson started 15th, four places ahead of Niki Lauda in the new McLaren; Piercarlo Ghinzani, Johnny Cecotto and Kenny Acheson missed the grid.
Saturday Qualifying Classification
1983 Dutch Grand Prix second qualifying session, 27 August 1983
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 | 5 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:17.194 | 1:15.630 | 1:15.630 | — |
| 2 | 27 | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari | 1:16.857 | 1:16.370 | 1:16.370 | — |
| 3 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:16.411 | 8:39.650 | 1:16.411 | — |
| 4 | 15 | Alain Prost | Renault | 1:16.611 | 1:16.642 | 1:16.611 | — |
| 5 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:16.721 | 1:16.711 | 1:16.711 | — |
| 6 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:17.544 | 1:16.940 | 1:16.940 | — |
| 7 | 35 | Derek Warwick | Toleman | 1:17.198 | 1:17.666 | 1:17.198 | — |
| 8 | 22 | Andrea de Cesaris | Alfa Romeo | 1:17.233 | 1:17.552 | 1:17.233 | — |
| 9 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:18.086 | 1:17.306 | 1:17.306 | — |
| 10 | 28 | René Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:18.202 | 1:17.397 | 1:17.397 | — |
| 11 | 16 | Eddie Cheever | Renault | 1:18.067 | 1:17.676 | 1:17.676 | — |
| 12 | 23 | Mauro Baldi | Alfa Romeo | 1:17.887 | 1:18.885 | 1:17.887 | — |
| 13 | 36 | Bruno Giacomelli | Toleman | 1:18.642 | 1:17.902 | 1:17.902 | — |
| 14 | 29 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:20.153 | 1:19.696 | 1:19.696 | — |
| 15 | 7 | John Watson | McLaren | 1:21.010 | 1:19.787 | 1:19.787 | — |
| 16 | 40 | Stefan Johansson | Spirit | 1:20.447 | 1:19.966 | 1:19.966 | — |
| 17 | 2 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:21.395 | 1:19.979 | 1:19.979 | — |
| 18 | 3 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | 1:20.149 | 1:20.282 | 1:20.149 | — |
| 19 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:20.169 | 1:21.050 | 1:20.169 | — |
| 20 | 33 | Roberto Guerrero | Theodore | 1:21.592 | 1:20.190 | 1:20.190 | — |
| 21 | 30 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:20.245 | 1:20.257 | 1:20.245 | — |
| 22 | 25 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ligier | 1:20.381 | 1:20.247 | 1:20.247 | — |
| 23 | 1 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:20.666 | 1:20.391 | 1:20.391 | — |
| 24 | 26 | Raul Boesel | Ligier | 1:21.738 | 1:20.660 | 1:20.660 | — |
| 25 | 31 | Corrado Fabi | Osella | 1:22.047 | 1:20.815 | 1:20.815 | — |
| 26 | 4 | Danny Sullivan | Tyrrell | 1:20.863 | 1:20.842 | 1:20.842 | — |
| 27 | 32 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:21.763 | 1:20.926 | 1:20.926 | — |
| 28 | 34 | Johnny Cecotto | Theodore | 1:21.734 | 1:20.955 | 1:20.955 | — |
| 29 | 17 | Kenny Acheson | RAM | 1:23.425 | 1:23.093 | 1:23.093 | — |
Sunday warm-up
The warm-up suggested an advantage for the Michelin runners, but Brabham still had urgent work to complete. Nelson Piquet received the spare car’s engine and Riccardo Patrese needed an oil leak repaired. Ferrari’s difficult preparation made the race outlook uncertain, with Rene Arnoux starting in the midfield and Patrick Tambay carrying the team’s best immediate chance from the front row.
What happened in the 1983 Dutch Grand Prix?
Nelson Piquet led away while Patrick Tambay’s slipping clutch dropped the Ferrari deep into the field. Alain Prost moved into second and began pursuing the Brabham, with Rene Arnoux steadily recovering behind them. Patrick Tambay also worked his way back, turning a disastrous opening lap into a determined climb through the pack.
On lap 42, Alain Prost tried to pass Nelson Piquet at Tarzan but slid into the Brabham, sending it into retirement. Alain Prost continued briefly before damage from the collision caused his own exit. Rene Arnoux inherited the lead, and Riccardo Patrese’s later loss of turbo boost allowed Patrick Tambay to complete Ferrari’s remarkable recovery into second.
John Watson finished third after another forceful drive and an excellent pit stop. Derek Warwick took fourth, finally rewarding Toleman’s persistence with its first points, ahead of Mauro Baldi and Michele Alboreto. Niki Lauda’s turbo debut ended with brake trouble, while Rene Arnoux’s victory brought him within eight points of Alain Prost in the championship.
After the race, Alain Prost headed the drivers’ standings with 51 points, followed by René Arnoux on 43. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 80, with Renault on 68.
1983 Dutch Grand Prix race results
The 1983 Dutch Grand Prix was held on 28 August 1983.
1983 Dutch Grand Prix Fastest Laps
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 33 | 1:19.863 |
| 2 | 27 | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari | 37 | 1:20.020 |
| 3 | 5 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 4 | 1:20.235 |
| 4 | 15 | Alain Prost | Renault | 33 | 1:20.331 |
| 5 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 61 | 1:20.807 |
| 6 | 22 | Andrea de Cesaris | Alfa Romeo | 4 | 1:20.900 |
| 7 | 35 | Derek Warwick | Toleman | 4 | 1:21.010 |
| 8 | 16 | Eddie Cheever | Renault | 4 | 1:21.153 |
| 9 | 7 | John Watson | McLaren | 54 | 1:21.185 |
| 10 | 23 | Mauro Baldi | Alfa Romeo | 21 | 1:21.326 |
| 11 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 25 | 1:21.342 |
| 12 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 10 | 1:21.733 |
| 13 | 3 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | 61 | 1:21.753 |
| 14 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 24 | 1:22.050 |
| 15 | 36 | Bruno Giacomelli | Toleman | 6 | 1:22.289 |
| 16 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 12 | 1:22.462 |
| 17 | 40 | Stefan Johansson | Spirit | 25 | 1:22.652 |
| 18 | 26 | Raul Boesel | Ligier | 28 | 1:23.151 |
| 19 | 1 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 14 | 1:23.205 |
| 20 | 30 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 20 | 1:23.387 |
| 21 | 29 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 31 | 1:23.482 |
| 22 | 33 | Roberto Guerrero | Theodore | 62 | 1:23.527 |
| 23 | 2 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 7 | 1:23.731 |
| 24 | 31 | Corrado Fabi | Osella | 4 | 1:24.502 |
| 25 | 4 | Danny Sullivan | Tyrrell | 15 | 1:24.638 |
| 26 | 25 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ligier | 3 | 1:25.259 |
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 Dutch Grand Prix.
1983 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
| POS | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alain Prost | French | Renault | 51 |
| 2 | René Arnoux | French | Ferrari | 43 |
| 3 | Nelson Piquet | Brazilian | Brabham | 37 |
| 4 | Patrick Tambay | French | Ferrari | 37 |
| 5 | Keke Rosberg | Finnish | Williams | 25 |
| 6 | John Watson | British | McLaren | 22 |
| 7 | Eddie Cheever | American | Renault | 17 |
| 8 | Niki Lauda | Austrian | McLaren | 12 |
| 9 | Jacques Laffite | French | Williams | 11 |
| 10 | Michele Alboreto | Italian | Tyrrell | 10 |
| 11 | Andrea de Cesaris | Italian | Alfa Romeo | 6 |
| 12 | Nigel Mansell | British | Lotus | 6 |
| 13 | Riccardo Patrese | Italian | Brabham | 4 |
| 14 | Marc Surer | Swiss | Arrows | 4 |
| 15 | Derek Warwick | British | Toleman | 3 |
| 16 | Mauro Baldi | Italian | Alfa Romeo | 3 |
| 17 | Danny Sullivan | American | Tyrrell | 2 |
| 18 | Johnny Cecotto | Venezuelan | Theodore | 1 |
| – | Thierry Boutsen | Belgian | Arrows | 0 |
| – | Chico Serra | Brazilian | Arrows | 0 |
| – | Jean-Pierre Jarier | French | Ligier | 0 |
| – | Raul Boesel | Brazilian | Ligier | 0 |
| – | Stefan Johansson | Swedish | Spirit | 0 |
| – | Bruno Giacomelli | Italian | Toleman | 0 |
| – | Manfred Winkelhock | German | ATS | 0 |
| – | Elio de Angelis | Italian | Lotus | 0 |
| – | Corrado Fabi | Italian | Osella | 0 |
| – | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Italian | Osella | 0 |
| – | Roberto Guerrero | Colombian | Theodore | 0 |
| – | Eliseo Salazar | Chilean | RAM | 0 |
| – | Alan Jones | Australian | Arrows | 0 |
1983 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferrari | 80 |
| 2 | Renault | 68 |
| 3 | Brabham – BMW | 41 |
| 4 | Williams – Ford | 36 |
| 5 | McLaren – Ford | 34 |
| 6 | Tyrrell – Ford | 12 |
| 7 | Alfa Romeo | 9 |
| 8 | Lotus – Renault | 5 |
| 9 | Arrows – Ford | 4 |
| 10 | Toleman – Hart | 3 |
| 11 | Theodore – Ford | 1 |
| 12 | Lotus – Ford | 1 |
| — | Ligier – Ford | 0 |
| — | Spirit – Honda | 0 |
| — | ATS – BMW | 0 |
| — | Osella – Alfa Romeo | 0 |
| — | RAM – Ford | 0 |
| — | Osella – Ford | 0 |
| — | McLaren – TAG | 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
Seen in:
