Jacques Laffite

Jacques-Henri Laffite (21 November 1943 - Present): French racing driver from Paris, son of a Parisian lawyer, who competed in Formula One from 1974 to 1986. Laffite started his racing career as a mechanic for Jean-Pierre Jabouille in 1968 (they later became brothers-in-law after marrying two sisters). After training at Winfield Racing School in 1968, he won the 1972 French Formula Renault Championship and 1973 French Formula 3 title before winning the European Formula Two Championship in 1975. He made his F1 debut at the 1974 German Grand Prix with Frank Williams, then moved to the French Ligier team in 1976, where he achieved his greatest success.

Laffite won six Grands Prix, all with Ligier, making him the team's most successful driver with six of their nine total victories. He won his first race at the 1977 Swedish Grand Prix, then both opening races of 1979 while fighting for the World Championship, ultimately finishing fourth. He also finished fourth in 1980 and 1981. After two winless seasons with Williams (1983-1984), Laffite returned to Ligier in 1985, scoring several podiums.

His career ended at the 1986 British Grand Prix when he suffered career-ending leg injuries in a multi-car collision, finishing tied with Graham Hill for most Grand Prix starts at 176. His F1 career yielded 6 wins, 7 pole positions, 7 fastest laps, and 32 podiums.