Spanish Grand Prix 1981 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Gilles Villeneuve claimed his second consecutive victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, delivering another heroic performance for Ferrari at the tight Jarama circuit. The Canadian mastered the technical Madrid venue to take his second win in as many races, demonstrating that Ferrari's turbocharged 126CK could be competitive when Villeneuve's exceptional talent compensated for the car's deficiencies. His back-to-back victories at Monaco and Jarama represented the highlights of Ferrari's otherwise difficult 1981 campaign.

Jacques Laffite finished second for Ligier, marking his third consecutive podium finish and establishing the Frenchman as a consistent points scorer. John Watson claimed third place for McLaren, showing the British team's gradual improvement despite struggling with an underpowered Ford-Cosworth engine in the emerging turbo era. The Spanish Grand Prix was notable for featuring the narrow, twisty Jarama circuit, where Villeneuve's supreme car control allowed him to maximize Ferrari's strengths while minimizing their weaknesses. The championship contenders had mixed fortunes, with the tight circuit not suiting either Williams or Brabham particularly well, allowing Villeneuve to capitalize on his street-fighting skills.