Formula 1 1981 1 1981-03-15 1981-03-15 https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/event/thumb/dqduxz1750509479.jpg https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/event/poster/p5eafc1750509457.jpg The 1981 United States Grand Prix West (officially the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach) was a Formula One motor race held on March 15, 1981, at Long Beach, California. It was the opening race of the 1981 Formula One World Championship. Defending World Champion Alan Jones finished nine seconds ahead of teammate Carlos Reutemann, and won his first Long Beach Grand Prix, as the 1981 season finally began after a winter of controversy and legal battles. It was the third consecutive Grand Prix win for Jones, and his second consecutive in the United States, after seizing the 1980 Drivers' title with season-ending wins in Montreal, Canada and Watkins Glen, New York. 528986