Didier Pironi

Name: Didier Pironi

Nationality: France

Date of birth: March 26, 1952 - Paris

Date of death: August 23, 1987 - Southampton

An inspired, yet ultimately tragic figure, Pironi was driven on by a motivation to become France's first World Champion driver. Circumstances conspired to thwart his ambition just at the point when it seemed he had the 1982 title in his pocket. A huge practice crash in preparation for that year's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim left him with serious leg injuries which invalided him out of the sport. An Elf protege, Pironi came to prominence by winning the 1977 Monaco F3 supporting race and was promoted into F1 by Ken Tyrrell the following season. After two promising years with Tyrrell he switched to Ligier in 1980, winning the Belgian GP, and then moved on to Ferrari for 1981 where he partnered the dynamic Gilles Villeneuve. Gilles had the upper hand in 1981, but the advent of the Ferrari 126C2 saw the two men start the following year more obviously evenly matched. Unfortunately their relationship was terminally damaged when Pironi slipstreamed past Villeneuve against team orders to win the thinly supported San Marino GP. Pironi went on to win the Dutch Grand Prix before Hockenheim ended his racing career. Restless for a competitive challenge, he was killed five years later when his powerboat flipped over during a race in the Solent, off the Isle of Wight.

BACKhome <---------------------------------