A technical turning point compared to the 177 model, with which Alfa Romeo had returned to Formula, the 179 represented the pure win car: a 12-cylinder 60° V engine created in just a few months to fully exploit the ground effect, with four valves per cylinder inclined at 65°, direct electronic injection, electronic ignition, monobloc and heads built in aluminium alloy and magnesium. It was the car to beat: fast, reliable and with Mario Andretti and Bruno Giacomelli at the wheel. Unfortunately, in 1981 the rules were changed and the 179 only managed to achieve third place at Las Vegas with Giacomelli as the best result.