1981 Drivers' Standings
| Pos. | Driver | Nationality | Team | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nelson PiquetPIQ | BRA | Brabham Ford | 50 |
| 2 | Carlos ReutemannREU | ARG | Williams Ford | 49 |
| 3 | Alan JonesJON | AUS | Williams Ford | 46 |
| 4 | Jacques LaffiteLAF | FRA | Ligier Matra | 44 |
| 5 | Alain ProstPRO | FRA | Renault | 43 |
| 6 | John WatsonWAT | GBR | McLaren Ford | 27 |
| 7 | Gilles VilleneuveVIL | CAN | Ferrari | 25 |
| 8 | Elio de AngelisDEA | ITA | Lotus Ford | 14 |
| 9 | Rene ArnouxARN | FRA | Renault | 11 |
| 9 | Hector RebaqueREB | MEX | Brabham Ford | 11 |
| 11 | Riccardo PatresePAT | ITA | Arrows Ford | 10 |
| 11 | Eddie CheeverCHE | USA | Tyrrell Ford | 10 |
| 13 | Didier PironiPIR | FRA | Ferrari | 9 |
| 14 | Nigel MansellMAN | GBR | Lotus Ford | 8 |
| 15 | Bruno GiacomelliGIA | ITA | Alfa Romeo | 7 |
| 16 | Marc SurerSUR | SUI | Theodore Ford | 4 |
| 17 | Mario AndrettiAND | USA | Alfa Romeo | 3 |
| 18 | Patrick TambayTAM | FRA | Ligier Matra | 1 |
| 18 | Andrea de CesarisDEC | ITA | McLaren Ford | 1 |
| 18 | Slim BorguddBOR | SWE | ATS Ford | 1 |
| 18 | Eliseo SalazarSAL | CHI | Ensign Ford | 1 |