Patrick Tambay sent Imola into celebration with victory in the San Marino Grand Prix, driving Ferrari’s number 27 to an emotional success. Riccardo Patrese briefly looked ready to deny him, only to crash moments after taking the lead, leaving Alain Prost second and René Rene Arnoux third.
Race Guide
Season: 1983 F1 World Championship
Race date: 1 May 1983
Race start time: Start time unconfirmed local time (UTC+02:00)
Circuit: Autodromo Dino Ferrari
Laps: 60 laps
Circuit length: 5.040 km
1982 winner: Didier Pironi
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | René Arnoux | Ferrari |
| Pole time | 1:31.238 | |
| Fastest lap | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:34.437 on lap 47 | |
| First | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari |
| Second | Alain Prost | Renault |
| Third | René Arnoux | Ferrari |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 29 April 1983 | Practice 1 | 10:00–11:30 |
| 29 April 1983 | Qualifying 1 | 13:00–14:00 |
| 30 April 1983 | Practice 2 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 30 April 1983 | Qualifying 2 | 13:00–14:00 |
| 1 May 1983 | Warm-up | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 1 May 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
Nelson Piquet arrived at round 4 leading the 1983 F1 World Championship on 15 points, with Niki Lauda on 10. McLaren – Ford headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 19 points.
Race entries
The field returned to Europe’s familiar line-ups after RAM’s additional entry in France. Osella introduced an Alfa Romeo V12-powered car for Piercarlo Ghinzani, while Corrado Fabi retained Cosworth power. Ferrari arrived with revised rear suspension, and Brabham and Renault each added a new chassis to their available cars.
Friday Free Practice
Friday began on a damp track after overnight rain, delaying the serious dry-tyre work. As conditions improved, Patrick Tambay’s Ferrari stopped with electrical trouble, forcing another move towards the spare after his difficult French weekend. Marc Surer impressed in the Arrows, while the turbo teams worked on braking and traction around Imola’s changes of gradient.
Friday Qualifying
Rene Arnoux led Friday with a 1:33.419, giving Ferrari the early advantage despite Patrick Tambay’s further engine trouble. Nelson Piquet kept Brabham in contention, while the turbo cars occupied the leading positions. Derek Warwick’s promising session was compromised by a split boost pipe and then an oil leak in the spare Toleman.
Friday Qualifying Classification
1983 San Marino Grand Prix first qualifying session, 29 April 1983
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:33.419 | — |
| 2 | 5 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:33.542 | — |
| 3 | 15 | Alain Prost | Renault | 1:33.653 | — |
| 4 | 16 | Eddie Cheever | Renault | 1:33.888 | — |
| 5 | 27 | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari | 1:34.221 | — |
| 6 | 22 | Andrea de Cesaris | Alfa Romeo | 1:34.345 | — |
| 7 | 23 | Mauro Baldi | Alfa Romeo | 1:35.000 | — |
| 8 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:35.010 | — |
| 9 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:35.091 | — |
| 10 | 35 | Derek Warwick | Toleman | 1:35.676 | — |
| 11 | 29 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:35.723 | — |
| 12 | 36 | Bruno Giacomelli | Toleman | 1:35.969 | — |
| 13 | 3 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | 1:35.988 | — |
| 14 | 1 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:36.145 | — |
| 15 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:36.243 | — |
| 16 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:36.391 | — |
| 17 | 2 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:36.630 | — |
| 18 | 33 | Roberto Guerrero | Theodore | 1:36.792 | — |
| 19 | 4 | Danny Sullivan | Tyrrell | 1:37.320 | — |
| 20 | 30 | Chico Serra | Arrows | 1:37.337 | — |
| 21 | 25 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ligier | 1:37.544 | — |
| 22 | 34 | Johnny Cecotto | Theodore | 1:37.554 | — |
| 23 | 7 | John Watson | McLaren | 1:37.847 | — |
| 24 | 31 | Corrado Fabi | Osella | 1:37.952 | — |
| 25 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:38.089 | — |
| 26 | 17 | Eliseo Salazar | RAM | 1:38.691 | — |
| 27 | 32 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:39.248 | — |
| 28 | 26 | Raul Boesel | Ligier | 1:39.435 | — |
Saturday Free Practice
Saturday’s warm, sunny practice was interrupted by a succession of mechanical problems. Riccardo Patrese broke a driveshaft, Bruno Giacomelli lost oil pressure, and Derek Warwick’s twin-plug Hart engine was not running properly. Rene Arnoux also suffered an engine failure. Renault enjoyed a comparatively orderly session, while the other leading teams faced a rush of repairs before the decisive qualifying hour.
Saturday Qualifying
Saturday became a fierce exchange between Ferrari, Brabham and Renault. Patrick Tambay, Alain Prost and Nelson Piquet all raised the target before Rene Arnoux delivered 1:31.238 to secure pole. Nelson Piquet split the Ferraris in second, narrowly ahead of Patrick Tambay, with Alain Prost fourth. Toleman’s problems continued: its drivers were left trying to share the spare, and Bruno Giacomelli failed to qualify.
Saturday Qualifying Classification
1983 San Marino Grand Prix second qualifying session, 30 April 1983
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:31.238 | — |
| 2 | 5 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:31.964 | — |
| 3 | 27 | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari | 1:31.967 | — |
| 4 | 15 | Alain Prost | Renault | 1:32.138 | — |
| 5 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:32.969 | — |
| 6 | 16 | Eddie Cheever | Renault | 1:33.450 | — |
| 7 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:33.470 | — |
| 8 | 22 | Andrea de Cesaris | Alfa Romeo | 1:33.528 | — |
| 9 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:34.332 | — |
| 10 | 1 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:35.086 | — |
| 11 | 29 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:35.411 | — |
| 12 | 3 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | 1:35.525 | — |
| 13 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:35.703 | — |
| 14 | 2 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:35.707 | — |
| 15 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:36.099 | — |
| 16 | 25 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ligier | 1:36.116 | — |
| 17 | 30 | Chico Serra | Arrows | 1:36.258 | — |
| 18 | 33 | Roberto Guerrero | Theodore | 1:36.324 | — |
| 19 | 4 | Danny Sullivan | Tyrrell | 1:36.359 | — |
| 20 | 23 | Mauro Baldi | Alfa Romeo | 1:36.620 | — |
| 21 | 34 | Johnny Cecotto | Theodore | 1:36.638 | — |
| 22 | 7 | John Watson | McLaren | 1:36.652 | — |
| 23 | 35 | Derek Warwick | Toleman | 1:36.881 | — |
| 24 | 26 | Raul Boesel | Ligier | 1:37.322 | — |
| 25 | 31 | Corrado Fabi | Osella | 1:37.711 | — |
| 26 | 17 | Eliseo Salazar | RAM | 1:38.097 | — |
| 27 | 32 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:38.873 | — |
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 | 28 | René Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:33.419 | 1:31.238 | 1:31.238 | — |
| 2 | 5 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:33.542 | 1:31.964 | 1:31.964 | — |
| 3 | 27 | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari | 1:34.221 | 1:31.967 | 1:31.967 | — |
| 4 | 15 | Alain Prost | Renault | 1:33.653 | 1:32.138 | 1:32.138 | — |
| 5 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:36.243 | 1:32.969 | 1:32.969 | — |
| 6 | 16 | Eddie Cheever | Renault | 1:33.888 | 1:33.450 | 1:33.450 | — |
| 7 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:35.010 | 1:33.470 | 1:33.470 | — |
| 8 | 22 | Andrea de Cesaris | Alfa Romeo | 1:34.345 | 1:33.528 | 1:33.528 | — |
| 9 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:35.091 | 1:34.332 | 1:34.332 | — |
| 10 | 23 | Mauro Baldi | Alfa Romeo | 1:35.000 | 1:36.620 | 1:35.000 | — |
| 11 | 1 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:36.145 | 1:35.086 | 1:35.086 | — |
| 12 | 29 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:35.723 | 1:35.411 | 1:35.411 | — |
| 13 | 3 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | 1:35.988 | 1:35.525 | 1:35.525 | — |
| 14 | 35 | Derek Warwick | Toleman | 1:35.676 | 1:36.881 | 1:35.676 | — |
| 15 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:36.391 | 1:35.703 | 1:35.703 | — |
| 16 | 2 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:36.630 | 1:35.707 | 1:35.707 | — |
| 17 | 36 | Bruno Giacomelli | Toleman | 1:35.969 | no time | 1:35.969 | — |
| 18 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:38.089 | 1:36.099 | 1:36.099 | — |
| 19 | 25 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ligier | 1:37.544 | 1:36.116 | 1:36.116 | — |
| 20 | 30 | Chico Serra | Arrows | 1:37.337 | 1:36.258 | 1:36.258 | — |
| 21 | 33 | Roberto Guerrero | Theodore | 1:36.792 | 1:36.324 | 1:36.324 | — |
| 22 | 4 | Danny Sullivan | Tyrrell | 1:37.320 | 1:36.359 | 1:36.359 | — |
| 23 | 34 | Johnny Cecotto | Theodore | 1:37.554 | 1:36.638 | 1:36.638 | — |
| 24 | 7 | John Watson | McLaren | 1:37.847 | 1:36.652 | 1:36.652 | — |
| 25 | 26 | Raul Boesel | Ligier | 1:39.435 | 1:37.322 | 1:37.322 | — |
| 26 | 31 | Corrado Fabi | Osella | 1:37.952 | 1:37.711 | 1:37.711 | — |
| 27 | 17 | Eliseo Salazar | RAM | 1:38.691 | 1:38.097 | 1:38.097 | — |
| 28 | 32 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:39.248 | 1:38.873 | 1:38.873 | — |
Sunday warm-up
The warm-up brought a frightening moment for de Andrea de Cesaris when a sticking throttle sent his Alfa Romeo off at Acque Minerali and upside down onto the tyre barrier. The damage was repairable, but it created urgent work for the team. ATS had to abandon its intended race car after a fuel-tank leak, while several other garages completed last-minute changes beneath threatening clouds that ultimately held their rain.
What happened in the 1983 San Marino Grand Prix?
Ferrari’s supporters had plenty to cheer as the race developed into a fight involving Patrick Tambay and Riccardo Patrese. Pit stops and changing positions brought the Brabham into contention, and Riccardo Patrese closed steadily as Patrick Tambay’s engine began to misfire at high revs.
Riccardo Patrese passed for the lead with six laps remaining, only to crash at Acque Minerali later on the same lap. Patrick Tambay inherited first place again, to a huge response from the crowd. Behind him, Rene Arnoux spun late in the race, allowing Alain Prost through into second.
Patrick Tambay held on for a memorable Ferrari victory and dedicated it to Gilles Villeneuve, whose number 27 he had inherited. Alain Prost finished second and Rene Arnoux recovered to complete an all-French podium. Riccardo Patrese’s retirement turned a potential home success into bitter disappointment, while Ferrari celebrated a win earned amid both speed and extraordinary late drama.
After the race, Alain Prost headed the drivers’ standings with 15 points, followed by Nelson Piquet on 15. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 22, with McLaren – Ford on 21.
1983 San Marino Grand Prix race results
The 1983 San Marino Grand Prix was held on 1 May 1983.
1983 San Marino Grand Prix Fastest Laps
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 47 | 1:34.437 |
| 2 | 27 | Patrick Tambay | Ferrari | 47 | 1:35.516 |
| 3 | 5 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 33 | 1:36.306 |
| 4 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 35 | 1:36.423 |
| 5 | 15 | Alain Prost | Renault | 13 | 1:36.833 |
| 6 | 22 | Andrea de Cesaris | Alfa Romeo | 24 | 1:37.214 |
| 7 | 29 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 45 | 1:37.718 |
| 8 | 1 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 45 | 1:37.836 |
| 9 | 25 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ligier | 33 | 1:38.026 |
| 10 | 23 | Mauro Baldi | Alfa Romeo | 51 | 1:38.063 |
| 11 | 30 | Chico Serra | Arrows | 44 | 1:38.366 |
| 12 | 7 | John Watson | McLaren | 53 | 1:38.380 |
| 13 | 2 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 27 | 1:38.463 |
| 14 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 24 | 1:38.466 |
| 15 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 14 | 1:38.615 |
| 16 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 10 | 1:38.641 |
| 17 | 35 | Derek Warwick | Toleman | 27 | 1:39.069 |
| 18 | 3 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | 8 | 1:39.438 |
| 19 | 26 | Raul Boesel | Ligier | 51 | 1:39.480 |
| 20 | 4 | Danny Sullivan | Tyrrell | 21 | 1:39.685 |
| 21 | 31 | Corrado Fabi | Osella | 19 | 1:39.692 |
| 22 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 50 | 1:39.903 |
| 23 | 36 | Bruno Giacomelli | Toleman | 16 | 1:39.917 |
| 24 | 34 | Johnny Cecotto | Theodore | 10 | 1:41.961 |
| 25 | 33 | Roberto Guerrero | Theodore | 3 | 1:44.305 |
| 26 | 16 | Eddie Cheever | Renault | 1 | 1:51.645 |
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 San Marino Grand Prix.
1983 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
| POS | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alain Prost | French | Renault | 15 |
| 2 | Nelson Piquet | Brazilian | Brabham | 15 |
| 3 | Patrick Tambay | French | Ferrari | 14 |
| 4 | John Watson | British | McLaren | 11 |
| 5 | Niki Lauda | Austrian | McLaren | 10 |
| 6 | René Arnoux | French | Ferrari | 8 |
| 7 | Jacques Laffite | French | Williams | 7 |
| 8 | Keke Rosberg | Finnish | Williams | 5 |
| 9 | Eddie Cheever | American | Renault | 4 |
| 10 | Marc Surer | Swiss | Arrows | 4 |
| 11 | Johnny Cecotto | Venezuelan | Theodore | 1 |
| – | Raul Boesel | Brazilian | Ligier | 0 |
| – | Derek Warwick | British | Toleman | 0 |
| – | Chico Serra | Brazilian | Arrows | 0 |
| – | Michele Alboreto | Italian | Tyrrell | 0 |
| – | Danny Sullivan | American | Tyrrell | 0 |
| – | Jean-Pierre Jarier | French | Ligier | 0 |
| – | Riccardo Patrese | Italian | Brabham | 0 |
| – | Mauro Baldi | Italian | Alfa Romeo | 0 |
| – | Nigel Mansell | British | Lotus | 0 |
| – | Manfred Winkelhock | German | ATS | 0 |
| – | Andrea de Cesaris | Italian | Alfa Romeo | 0 |
| – | Bruno Giacomelli | Italian | Toleman | 0 |
| – | Eliseo Salazar | Chilean | RAM | 0 |
| – | Alan Jones | Australian | Arrows | 0 |
| – | Elio de Angelis | Italian | Lotus | 0 |
| – | Corrado Fabi | Italian | Osella | 0 |
| – | Roberto Guerrero | Colombian | Theodore | 0 |
1983 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferrari | 22 |
| 2 | McLaren – Ford | 21 |
| 3 | Renault | 19 |
| 4 | Brabham – BMW | 15 |
| 5 | Williams – Ford | 12 |
| 6 | Arrows – Ford | 4 |
| 7 | Theodore – Ford | 1 |
| — | Ligier – Ford | 0 |
| — | Tyrrell – Ford | 0 |
| — | Toleman – Hart | 0 |
| — | Alfa Romeo | 0 |
| — | ATS – BMW | 0 |
| — | Lotus – Ford | 0 |
| — | RAM – Ford | 0 |
| — | Osella – Ford | 0 |
| — | Lotus – Renault | 0 |
| — | Osella – Alfa Romeo | 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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