Jacques Laffite

Biography

Come tardily with the automobile sport, Jacques Laffite quickly built a solid reputation in the formulas of promotion while becoming Champion of France of Renault Formula in 1972, and Formula 3 in 1973 (this year there, it also gains the prestigious GP of Monaco F3). These results give access to him the Formule 1 in 1974, within the modest stable Williams, then in great financial problems. By taking down with GP of Germany 1975 (on the very selective layout of the Nurburgring) convincing a second place, Laffite will contribute besides largely to the survival of the team. Parallel to his beginnings in F1, Jacques Laffite also becomes in 1975 champion of Europe of Formule 2 and conquers with Alfa Romeo the world title of endurance.

Great hope of Formula 1 Frenchwoman (in spite of her 33 years), Laffite is selected beginning 1976 at the conclusion of a comparative test vis-a-vis Jean-Pierre Beltoise to make begin in competition very first the Ligier F1. After one season 1976 full with promises, Laffite and Ligier seem more in difficulty in 1977. It is however in this context that Laffite signs at the time of GP of Sweden its first success in F1. Badly qualified, Laffite returns in the second place, second place which is transformed into victory for the arrival following the abandonment of Mario Andretti. A victory at this point surprising that Laffite will be private of Marseillaise on the podium, organizers not having imagined the victory of a French pilot. This success of Laffite on the Ligier-Matra V12 constitutes the first victory 100 % Frenchwoman of the history of Formula 1 (only the Tire S, of Goodyear mark, were not French).

For one season 1978 again in half-tone, it is necessary to await 1979 to see Laffite and Ligier to rise with the more high level. At the wheel of Ligier JS11, Laffite dominates the beginning of the season, gains the first two races of the year in South America and thus makes figure for a time of favorite for the world title. The Ligier stable loses foot gradually during the year and Laffite must be satisfied with the 4th final place to the championship of the world. Performance which it republishes in 1980 (with a victory in Germany), but without never being itself mixed with the fight for the title, the fault with too irregular results. In 1981, after a beginning of the season missed, it multiplies the good performances, takes a lead in the layout of the GP of Austria then under the rain on Canada and approaches the ultimate handle of the championship (with Las Vegas) in third position with the general, with real chances to be crowned world champion. But Laffite passes beside its race, and must be satisfied for the third consecutive year with the fourth place to the championship.

In 1982, Laffite undergoes the sudden decline of the Ligier stable and, démotivé, is hardly able to highlight itself. It is started again while signing at Williams, the stable of his beginnings. But in 1983, with modest the atmospheric V8 Ford-Cosworth, the Williams team is not able to fight with the competitors which profit from the engine turbo. It is only in 1984 that Williams passes to turbo, thanks to a partnership with the Japanese motor mechanic Honda. The engine is still not very reliable and its irregular performances. Laffite will complain moreover not to profit from the same material as its Finnish fellow-member Keke Rosberg.

After these two seasons at Williams, Laffite carries out in 1985 its return to Ligier, of which there remained the pilot emblematic. With GP of Great Britain disputed on the layout of Brands Hatch, Laffite is victim at the beginning of a pile-up in the heart of the group. After having run up against of face the rail of safety, it is raised with multiple fractures with the legs and the basin. With resulting from an surgical operation, Jacques Laffite will find the use of his legs. This accident marks the end of its career in F1, the very same day where it equalized the record of participations in GP held by Graham Hill (176 departures).

After its convalescence, Laffite took again during several years the wheel in competition, that it is in tests of Tourism and Endurance. It even carried out its return to the fine single-seater 2005 at the time of the first sleeve of championship GP Masters, intended for old glories of Formula 1.

Since 1997, Jacques Laffite comments on in the capacity as consultant the large-prices of F1 on TF1.

See too

Pilot of Formula 1: classification by better Pilot turns
of Formula 1: classification by Pilot podiums
of Formula 1: classification by Pilot poles position
of Formula 1: classification by Pilot victories
of Formula 1: classification by hat tricks

External bonds

Site devoted to Jacques Laffite
Radioscopy of Jacques Laffite Ina Files Tele
Jacques Laffite on Memory of the Stands

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