British Grand Prix 1979 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Clay Regazzoni delivered an emotional and historic victory at the British Grand Prix, scoring Williams's first-ever Grand Prix win at Silverstone and vindicating years of struggle and development for Frank Williams's team. The 39-year-old Swiss veteran drove a mature, calculated race on Silverstone's fast sweepers, holding off Renault's turbocharged challenge to claim a popular triumph. Regazzoni's fourth career victory, coming seven years after his previous win, proved he retained all his speed and racecraft despite his age.

René Arnoux claimed second place for Renault, demonstrating the turbo team's continued competitiveness following Jabouille's French Grand Prix breakthrough. Jean-Pierre Jarier secured third for Tyrrell in a solid points finish. Both Ferrari drivers encountered problems that prevented them from scoring, with Scheckter suffering mechanical issues and Villeneuve crashing out. The result kept the championship battle competitive, preventing Scheckter from opening a commanding lead.

Williams's breakthrough victory marked a pivotal moment in Formula 1 history, with Frank Williams finally achieving the success that had eluded him through years of struggle. The FW07's development, guided by technical director Patrick Head, had produced a ground effect design capable of defeating Ferrari and the other established powers. Regazzoni's experience and development work had been crucial to the team's progress, though his victory would prove bittersweet - Alan Jones would soon eclipse him as Williams's number one driver. The British Grand Prix confirmed Williams as genuine championship contenders for 1980.