Formula 1 historical archive

Alain Prost won the 1981 Italian Grand Prix

Alain Prost won the 1981 Italian Grand Prix for Renault, ahead of Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann at Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

Browse the full classification, related season, driver, team, circuit, and championship history.

Race recap

Winner
Alain Prost
Team
Renault
Top listed
Alain Prost, Alan Jones, and Carlos Reutemann
Race date
September 13, 1981
Pole
René Arnoux
Fastest lap
Carlos Reutemann
Classified drivers
30
Circuit
Autodromo Nazionale Monza

The decisive result

Alain Prost finished first for Renault. Alan Jones is listed 2 for Williams, with Carlos Reutemann 3 for Williams.

Grid to finish

Brian Henton from P23 to P10 (+13), Andrea de Cesaris from P16 to P7 (+9), and Jean-Pierre Jarier from P18 to P9 (+9) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. René Arnoux started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 6 DNQ, 5 Finished, 4 Spun off, 3 Engine, and 3 Puncture. Carlos Reutemann holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:37.528 on lap 48. It records the result without speculating about incidents or strategy.

This summary sticks to the classification and does not speculate about incidents, strategy, weather, or causes. Source: F1DB (CC BY 4.0) · updated Jul 26, 2026.

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Race classification
PosDriverConstructorTime / statusPoints
1Alain ProstRenault1:26:33.8979
2Alan JonesWilliams1:26:56.0726
3Carlos ReutemannWilliams1:27:24.4844
4Elio de AngelisTeam Lotus1:28:06.7993
5Didier PironiFerrari1:28:08.4192
6Nelson PiquetBrabhamEngine1
7Andrea de CesarisMcLarenPuncture0
8Bruno GiacomelliAlfa Romeo+2 laps0
9Jean-Pierre JarierOsella+2 laps0
10Brian HentonToleman+3 laps0
DNFMario AndrettiAlfa RomeoEngine0
DNFDerek DalyMarchGearbox0
DNFPatrick TambayLigierPuncture0
DNFNigel MansellTeam LotusSuspension0
DNFJohn WatsonMcLarenAccident0
DNFRiccardo PatreseArrowsGearbox0
DNFMichele AlboretoTyrrellAccident0
DNFEliseo SalazarEnsignSpun off0
DNFRené ArnouxRenaultSpun off0
DNFJacques LaffiteLigierPuncture0