One of the most ground breaking F1 cars of all time, the ground effect Lotus 79 had proved to be the class of the field in 1978. However, by 1979 it had been outclassed and it was a much more difficult season. The iconic black and gold JPS livery was also, gone replaced instead by the green livery with Martini stripes and additional sponsorship from Tissot watches. The USA West GP saw Mario Andretti score a fourth placed finish, just behind the two dominant Ferraris and the Williams of Alan Jones.