Round 1 · 15 March 1981
1981 United States Grand Prix West: results
Alan Jones (Williams) won the 1981 United States Grand Prix West, round 1 of the championship, held on 15 March 1981 at Long Beach (USA), starting from position 2. Carlos Reutemann (Williams) and Nelson Piquet (Brabham) completed the podium. Pole position went to Riccardo Patrese.
Final classification
| Pos | Driver | Team | Grid | Time / gap | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alan Jones | Williams | 2 | 1:50:41.330 | 9 | Finished |
| 2 | Carlos Reutemann | Williams | 3 | +9.190 s | 6 | Finished |
| 3 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 4 | +34.920 s | 4 | Finished |
| 4 | Mario Andretti | Alfa Romeo | 6 | +49.310 s | 3 | Finished |
| 5 | Eddie Cheever | Tyrrell | 8 | +66.700 s | 2 | Finished |
| 6 | Patrick Tambay | Theodore | 17 | +1 Lap | 1 | +1 Lap |
| 7 | Chico Serra | Fittipaldi | 18 | +2 Laps | — | +2 Laps |
| 8 | René Arnoux | Renault | 20 | +3 Laps | — | +3 Laps |
| 9 | Marc Surer | Ensign | 19 | — | — | Fuel system |
| 10 | Didier Pironi | Ferrari | 11 | — | — | Fuel system |
| 11 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Ligier | 10 | — | — | Fuel pump |
| 12 | Hector Rebaque | Brabham | 15 | — | — | Accident |
| 13 | Bruno Giacomelli | Alfa Romeo | 9 | — | — | Collision |
| 14 | Jacques Laffite | Ligier | 12 | — | — | Collision |
| 15 | Keke Rosberg | Fittipaldi | 16 | — | — | Engine |
| 16 | Jan Lammers | ATS | 21 | — | — | Collision |
| 17 | Riccardo Patrese | Arrows | 1 | — | — | Fuel system |
| 18 | Beppe Gabbiani | Osella | 24 | — | — | Accident |
| 19 | Nigel Mansell | Team Lotus | 7 | — | — | Accident |
| 20 | Gilles Villeneuve | Ferrari | 5 | — | — | Halfshaft |
| 21 | John Watson | McLaren | 23 | — | — | Brakes |
| 22 | Elio de Angelis | Team Lotus | 13 | — | — | Accident |
| 23 | Alain Prost | Renault | 14 | — | — | Collision |
| 24 | Andrea de Cesaris | McLaren | 22 | — | — | Collision |