French F1 Driver Jean-Pierre Jabouille passed away today at the age of 80.
Jabouille will be forever remembered as the first driver to win in a turbo charged car in F1's second Turbo era. The win at the 1979 French GP was the first of his only 2 F1 wins, the second coming at Austria the following year.
Having made his debut for Frank Williams Racing in a one off outing at the 1974 French GP, single races for Surtees and Tyrell followed until, after winning the 1976 EuropeanFormula 2 championship for Ecurie Elf, a full time seat at Renault came his way midway through the 1977 season. His 3 and 1/2 full seasons at Renault between 1977 and 1980 saw just the 2 wins and one 4th place finish. The Renault V6 Turbo would explode with frequent regularity.
A serious leg break in an accident at the 1980 Canadian GP ended Jabouille's season with one race to go. Already out of a drive for 1981 with his seat going to Prost, he signed for Ligier however, it wasn't until the 3rd race of the season he was able to return to the car after the previous years crash. In five races he failed to qualify twice, was not classified once and DNF'd the other two. He realised he no longer had the ability to drive an F1 car so called it quits.
As well as his F1 wins he also managed 4 top three finishes at Le Mans, the final 2 coming in 1992 and 1993 for Peugot
Jabouille will be forever remembered as the first driver to win in a turbo charged car in F1's second Turbo era. The win at the 1979 French GP was the first of his only 2 F1 wins, the second coming at Austria the following year.
Having made his debut for Frank Williams Racing in a one off outing at the 1974 French GP, single races for Surtees and Tyrell followed until, after winning the 1976 EuropeanFormula 2 championship for Ecurie Elf, a full time seat at Renault came his way midway through the 1977 season. His 3 and 1/2 full seasons at Renault between 1977 and 1980 saw just the 2 wins and one 4th place finish. The Renault V6 Turbo would explode with frequent regularity.
A serious leg break in an accident at the 1980 Canadian GP ended Jabouille's season with one race to go. Already out of a drive for 1981 with his seat going to Prost, he signed for Ligier however, it wasn't until the 3rd race of the season he was able to return to the car after the previous years crash. In five races he failed to qualify twice, was not classified once and DNF'd the other two. He realised he no longer had the ability to drive an F1 car so called it quits.
As well as his F1 wins he also managed 4 top three finishes at Le Mans, the final 2 coming in 1992 and 1993 for Peugot
