Carlos Reutemann 1979 First Victory
Argentine racing driver and politician, Williams runner-up in 1981
Carlos Alberto "Lole" Reutemann (12 April 1942 – 7 July 2021) was an Argentine racing driver and politician, who competed in Formula One and served as the Governor of Santa Fe from 1999 to 2003. Reutemann was runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1981 with Williams and—at the time of his retirement—held the record for most podium finishes (45); he won 12 Grands Prix across 11 seasons.
Quick Facts
- Significance
- First F1 Victory for Williams at the 1980 Monaco Grand Prix (Carlos Reutemann) and Williams' 1st win overall
Lore & Background
Reutemann's first victory for Williams came at the 1980 Monaco Grand Prix. He finished second in the 1981 World Drivers' Championship by one point, having been overtaken in the last race of the season. He also finished third overall three times for three separate teams: for Brabham, for Ferrari, and for Williams. To date, he is the last Argentine driver to win a Grand Prix.
Reader's Guide
Reutemann joined Williams for the 1980 season. The season started badly when he failed to win his home Grand Prix in Buenos Aires after engine failure, but he recovered to win at Monaco and scored eight podiums to finish third in the championship. His partnership with Alan Jones was productive for Williams, who won their first Constructors' Championship with a then-record 120 points.
Did You Know?
- Reutemann was the first successful Argentine Formula One driver since Juan Manuel Fangio's retirement in 1958.
- He became the second Formula One driver after Leo Kinnunen to be on the podium of a World Rally Championship event.
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