Didier Pironi

Interesting facts

Didier Pironi made his F1 debut with Tyrrell in 1978, but that same year also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Jean-Pierre Jaussaud, driving the unusual "bubble roof" Renault Alpine A442B. He took his maiden F1 victory in 1980 with Ligier at the Belgian Grand Prix in Zolder. At the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix he had reportedly agreed with teammate Gilles Villeneuve to hold position, then unexpectedly passed him at the Tosa hairpin despite Ferrari signalling both drivers to slow down; Villeneuve was furious and vowed never to speak to him again. Two weeks later Villeneuve was fatally injured in qualifying at Zolder while trying to beat Pironi's lap time; many believe the tension from the San Marino incident contributed to the tragedy. Later that same season, while leading the championship, Pironi crashed in the rain at Hockenheim into the nearly invisible spray-hidden Renault of Alain Prost; he suffered severe fractures to both legs, ending his F1 career and leaving him runner-up in the championship, five points behind Keke Rosberg. In 1986 he attempted a comeback, testing for AGS and Ligier, but the terms of his accident insurance payout made an actual return practically impossible. In 1987 he died in a powerboat racing accident near the Isle of Wight; his girlfriend later gave birth to twins, whom she named Didier and Gilles in memory of him and Villeneuve. Didier Pironi made his Formula 1 debut in 1978 and raced until 1982, 5 seasons in total as a French driver. He scored a total of 101 championship points over his career. His best season was 1982, when he finished 2nd in the championship with 39 points.