[2] René Arnoux put his Renault on pole position but the slow start of the turbocharged car allowed Alan Jones to break free.

Arnoux and Clay Regazzoni collided, eliminating the Williams on the spot while the poleman only lasted to the end of the lap as he limped back to the pits.

Jody Scheckter fell to last place on the first lap and began the task of working through the field.

On lap 51, just after passing the pits, Villeneuve's left rear tyre exploded causing him to spin.

He drove an entire lap on two tyres, the right front was in the air and the left rear was shredding rubber and sparking with the pavement.