Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Renault’s first winner in Formula 1, dies

French racing driver Jean Pierre Jabouillefirst victory Renault Died this Thursday in Formula 1 80 yearshis cause of death has not been determined, as his family released in a statement.

Jabouille competed in 49 races between 1975 and 1981, winning two Grands Prix in France in 1979 and Austria the following year. His first success at the Dijon Prenois circuit was his first Formula 1 success with a turbocharged engine, a technology that would later become standard.

An engineering graduate born in Paris on October 1, 1942, he played an integral role in the arduous beginning of this project. The engine would often burst with white smoke, and his car was derisively nicknamed the “Yellow Kettle”.

The Frenchman has the most amazing record in the premier class. 37 retirements, 6 pole positions and 3 races with points only finishes, 2 of which were victories.

A four-time third-place finisher at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1973, 1974, 1992, 1993), he was Ligier’s technical director. He then founded his own endurance team, Jabouille His Bourche His Racing, after taking over the management of Peugeot His Sport.