Guy Ligier has passed away
Guy Ligier, the famous founder of the eponymous team, passed away this Sunday at the age of 85. He made his mark on the history of French Formula 1 with his team and had many drivers race and win over 20 years, from Jacques Laffite to Olivier Panis.
Formula 1 is in mourning this weekend with the announcement of the passing of Guy Ligier. The Frenchman, who began his career in the discipline as a driver in the 1960s, is best known for his success with the creation of the team that bore his name.
For 20 years, from 1976 to 1996, the Ligier team experienced many emotions. The emotion of victory first, with the first successes achieved by Jacques Laffite. The 1977 Swedish Grand Prix won by the French driver marked the first step of a record that would close in 1996 with the 9th and last victory delivered by Olivier Panis on the streets of Monaco. The emotion of survival as well in the 90s with fewer financial resources.
In the meantime, the team fought for the title at the dawn of the 80s with a runner-up position during the 1980 season behind the untouchable Williams. At the end of the 1996 season, Ligier sold all the shares of his team to Alain Prost, who would create Prost GP based on the French team.
Besides Jacques Laffite and Olivier Panis, other big names in Formula 1 have raced for Ligier, such as Eddie Cheever, Didier Pironi, Patrick Depailler, and Martin Brundle.
Guy Ligier passed away at the age of 85, leaving behind one of the most beautiful French legacies in motorsport.
