Tyrrell, Ligier, Ferrari · France

Didier Pironi

3 wins in 70 starts. Years active: 1978–1982.

titles: 0
wins: 3
poles: 4
podiums: 13
starts: 70

Born: 26 March 1952
Birthplace: Villecresnes
Lifespan: 1952–1987

History

Tyrrell, Ligier, Ferrari · France

Didier Pironi

3 wins in 70 starts. Years active: 1978–1982.

Born: 26 March 1952
Birthplace: Villecresnes
Lifespan: 1952–1987

Biography

Championship leader in 1982

Didier Pironi took his first win in 1980 for Ligier at the Belgian Grand Prix, and in 1982, by then with Ferrari, he led the championship. The season was overshadowed by Imola: there Pironi passed his team-mate Gilles Villeneuve on the last lap, and two weeks later Villeneuve was killed.

Hockenheim

In August 1982, in wet practice before the German Grand Prix, Pironi ran into Alain Prost’s car at full speed and suffered severe leg injuries. He never returned to Formula 1, but he still finished that season as runner-up — 39 points to Keke Rosberg’s 44. In 1987 Pironi was killed in a powerboat race.

Born: 26 March 1952, Villecresnes, France
Debut: Argentine Grand Prix, 15 January 1978, Tyrrell
First win: Belgian Grand Prix, 4 May 1980, Ligier
Best championship finish: 2nd — 1982
Last race: French Grand Prix, 25 July 1982, Ferrari
Career: 70 starts, 3 wins, 4 poles
Died: 23 August 1987