The 16 rounds in this end-of-season review capture a dramatic season, with team changes, driver unrest and technical challenges setting the scene for a most unpredictable outcome. Niki Lauda made his comeback with McLaren, Keke Rosberg replaced Alan Jones for Williams, Riccardo Patrese drove for Brabham alongside Nelson Piquet, and Eddie Cheever joined Jacques Lafitte at Talbot-Ligier. The controversy started early in the season with a drivers' strike at the season opener in South Africa leading to a partial race boycott at the San Marino Grand Prix. There was also tragedy as Gilles Villeneuve and Riccardo Palleti lost their lives and Didier Pironi suffered a career ending crash. Eventual champion Keke Rosberg took only one win during a season that saw eleven drivers take the top step of the podium, including nine different winners at consecutive races.
