:Ensign N179

Team Ensign had not built an F1 car since 1977 and when 1978 ended, most teams were developing new cars with ground effect as Team Lotus won the 1978 championship with a ground effect car. John Baldwin and Shahab Ahmed were tasked to design the car and the N179 was equipped with a new system of front radiators, which theoretically should have cooled the engine and allowed underside downforce. However, because it could no longer cool down the engine the drivers suffered from excessive heat in the cockpit.

Team Ensign had signed Irishman Derek Daly for 1979, but the team used the older Ensign N177 for the Argentine and Brazilian Grand Prix's. {{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/argentine.aspx|title=1979 Argentine Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}}{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/bresil.aspx|title=1979 Brazilian Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}}

The N179 made its debut at South Africa but Daly failed to qualify.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/afrique-du-sud.aspx|title=1979 South African Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}} He qualified for the United States Grand Prix West but retired after an accident.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/etats-unis-ouest.aspx|title=1979 United States Grand Prix West|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}} Ensign used the older N177 at Spain and Belgium, but Daly failed to qualify both times.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/espagne.aspx|title=1979 Spanish Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}}{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/belgique.aspx|title=1979 Belgian Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}} The N179 was used at the Monaco Grand Prix but Daly failed to qualify.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/monaco.aspx|title=1979 Monaco Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}} He was replaced by Frenchman Patrick Gaillard for France but Gaillard failed to qualify.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/france.aspx|title=1979 French Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}} He qualified for the British Grand Prix and finished 13th.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/grande-bretagne.aspx|title=1979 British Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}}

Gaillard failed also to qualify for Germany.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/allemagne.aspx|title=1979 German Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}} He qualified for the Austrian Grand Prix, but retired from suspension failure,{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/autriche.aspx|title=1979 Austrian Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}} and then failed to qualify for Holland.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/pays-bas.aspx|title=1979 Dutch Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}} He was replaced by Swiss driver Marc Surer for the final three races, the Italian, Canadian and United States Grand Prix's. Surer failed to qualify in Italy and Canada,{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/italie.aspx|title=1979 Italian Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}}{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/canada.aspx|title=1979 Canadian Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}} but qualified for the United States and retired with a blown engine.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1979/etats-unis-est.aspx|title=1979 United States Grand Prix|accessdate=20 March 2016 |publisher=Stats F1}}

The N179 was replaced by the Ensign N180 for the 1980 season.

{{-}}

(key)(results in bold indicate pole position, results in italics indicate fastest lap)

{{reflist}}

{{Ensign Racing}}

{{F1 cars 1979}}

Category:Ensign Formula One cars

{{F1-stub}}