French racing driver and engineer Jean-Pierre Jabouille, who gave Renault its first Formula 1 victory in 1979, has died at the age of 80. Renault’s own Alpine team mourned his death on Thursday and paid tribute to the two-time race winner as a pioneer whose victory at Dijon-Prenois was also the first in Formula 1 for a turbocharged car.
“He led Renault’s journey into Formula 1 in 1977 with his tough and brave attitude,” the team said. “His determination and dedication to success inspired many… we are where we are today because Jean-Pierre and his legacy live on.”
Jabouille made 49 starts in Formula One – making his debut at his home Grand Prix at Le Castellet in 1975 with Tyrrell before racing for Renault from 1977 to 1980. Although Jabouille was the first French driver to win at home in 30 years, the 1979 race is widely remembered for the thrilling battle for second place between Renault’s Rene Arnoux and Ferrari’s Gilles Villeneuve.
Jabouille broke his leg in a crash in Canada in 1980 and retired after three races with Ligier in 1981. He had achieved his second victory in 1980 at the Austrian Oesterreichring.
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