Jean-Pierre Jaussaud

Summary

Jean-Pierre Jaussaud (3 June 1937 – 22 July 2021) was a French racing driver, noted for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978 and 1980.

Jean-Pierre Jaussaud
Jaussaud in 2009
NationalityFrench
Born(1937-06-03)3 June 1937
Caen, France
Died22 July 2021(2021-07-22) (aged 84)
Caen, France
Championship titles
1970French Formula Three
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Years19661967, 19731983
TeamsMatra, Renault, Mirage, Rondeau,
Best finishFirst 1978 and 1980
Class wins1978 and 1980

Jaussaud was born in Caen, Calvados, and started racing in automobiles in 1962, taking courses in the Jim Russell Drivers School and the Winfield Racing School. In 1964, he graduated to Formula Three racing, with backing from Shell, and joined the works Matra team in 1966, where he stayed for two years, and won the French title in 1970, in a private Tecno.

In 1971 he moved full-time to Formula Two in a works March, and the following year drove a privateer Brabham and fought for the European Formula 2 title with Mike Hailwood. In 1975 Jaussaud quit single-seaters and entered endurance racing, where he was invited to drive for Renault Sport starting in 1976. Two years later, Jaussaud and partner Didier Pironi won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race overall.

Although he tested the Renault F1 car, Jaussaud instead stayed in touring cars and endurance, winning the 1979 Production title in a Triumph Dolomite. Teaming up with Jean Rondeau, he won at Le Mans once more, and also took part in the Paris-Dakar Rally for Rondeau's team. Jaussaud continued racing until 1992, when he retired to become a racing instructor. Jaussaud died in Caen on 22 July 2021 at the age of 84.[1]

24 Hours of Le Mans results edit

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
1966   Matra Sports SARL   Henri Pescarolo Matra MS620 - BRM P 2.0 38 DNF DNF
1967   Matra Sports SARL   Henri Pescarolo Matra MS630 - BRM P 2.0 55 DNF DNF
1973   Equipe Matra-Simca Shell   Jean-Pierre Jabouille Matra-Simca MS670B S 3.0 331 3rd 3rd
1974   Equipe Matra-Simca Gitanes   Bob Wollek
  José Dolhem
Matra-Simca MS670B S 3.0 DNF DNF
1975   Gulf Research Racing Co.   Vern Schuppan Mirage-Ford GR8 S 3.0 330 3rd 3rd
1976   Inaltera   Christine Beckers
  Jean Rondeau
Inaltera-Ford LM76 GTP 264 21st 3rd
1977   Équipe Renault Elf   Patrick Tambay Renault Alpine A442 S 3.0 158 DNF DNF
1978   Équipe Renault Elf   Didier Pironi Renault Alpine A442B S 3.0 369 1st 1st
1979   Grand Touring Cars Ltd.
  Ford Concessionaires France
  Vern Schuppan
  David Hobbs
Mirage M10 S 3.0 121 NC NC
1980   LePoint Jean Rondeau   Jean Rondeau Rondeau M379 S 3.0 338 1st 1st
1981   Otis Jean Rondeau   Jean Rondeau Rondeau M379 S 3.0 58 DNF DNF
1982   Otis Jean Rondeau   Jean Rondeau Rondeau M382 C 111 DNF DNF
1983   Otis Jean Rondeau   Philippe Streiff Rondeau M482 C 12 DNF DNF
Sources:[2][3]

References edit

  1. ^ "Automobile. Âgé de 84 ans, Jean-Pierre Jaussaud, double vainqueur des 24 heures du Mans, est décédé". Ouest-France (in French). Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Jean-Pierre Jaussaud". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Jean-Perre Jaussaud". Automobile Club de l'Ouest. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  • Official web site
  • Jean-Pierre Jaussaud - Les Grands Pilotes
Sporting positions
Preceded by Monaco Formula Three
Race Winner

1968
Succeeded by
Preceded by French Formula Three
Champion

1970
Succeeded by
Preceded by Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
1978 with:
Didier Pironi
Succeeded by
Preceded by Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
1980 with:
Jean Rondeau
Succeeded by