Formula 1 historical archive

John Watson won the 1983 United States Grand Prix West

John Watson won the 1983 United States Grand Prix West for McLaren, ahead of Niki Lauda and René Arnoux at Long Beach.

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

Race recap

Winner
John Watson
Team
McLaren
Top listed
John Watson, Niki Lauda, and René Arnoux
Race date
March 27, 1983
Pole
Patrick Tambay
Fastest lap
Niki Lauda
Classified drivers
28
Circuit
Long Beach

The decisive result

John Watson finished first for McLaren. Niki Lauda is listed 2 for McLaren, with René Arnoux 3 for Ferrari.

Grid to finish

John Watson from P22 to P1 (+21), Niki Lauda from P23 to P2 (+21), and Raul Boesel from P26 to P7 (+19) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. Patrick Tambay started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 4 Gearbox, 3 +1 lap, 3 +2 laps, 3 Collision, and 3 Finished. Niki Lauda holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:28.330 on lap 42. 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
1John WatsonMcLaren1:53:34.8899
2Niki LaudaMcLaren1:54:02.8826
3René ArnouxFerrari1:54:48.5274
4Jacques LaffiteWilliams+1 lap3
5Marc SurerArrows+1 lap2
6Johnny CecottoTheodore+1 lap1
7Raul BoeselLigier+2 laps0
8Danny SullivanTyrrell+2 laps0
9Michele AlboretoTyrrell+2 laps0
10Riccardo PatreseBrabhamDistributor0
11Alain ProstRenault+3 laps0
12Nigel MansellTeam Lotus+3 laps0
DNFEddie CheeverRenaultGearbox0
DNFAlan JonesArrowsUnwell0
DNFNelson PiquetBrabhamThrottle0
DNFAndrea de CesarisAlfa RomeoGearbox0
DNFElio de AngelisTeam LotusHandling0
DNFRoberto GuerreroTheodoreGearbox0
DNFJean-Pierre JarierLigierCollision0
DNFBruno GiacomelliTolemanBattery0