Most Wins: Lewis Hamilton (106) • Most Titles: M. Schumacher & L. Hamilton (7) • 77 Seasons Since 1950 • 1,159 Races in Database • 818 Drivers Tracked • Most Wins: Lewis Hamilton (106) • Most Titles: M. Schumacher & L. Hamilton (7) • 77 Seasons Since 1950 • 1,159 Races in Database • 818 Drivers Tracked •
PITLANESTATS

Dijon-Prenois

Dijon, France · 6 races held

Race History

YearGrand PrixWinnerTeam
1984 French Grand Prix Niki Lauda McLaren
1982 Swiss Grand Prix Keke Rosberg Williams
1981 French Grand Prix Alain Prost Renault
1979 French Grand Prix Jean-Pierre Jabouille Renault
1977 French Grand Prix Mario Andretti Team Lotus
1974 French Grand Prix Ronnie Peterson Team Lotus

About Dijon-Prenois

Dijon-Prenois is a fast, flowing permanent circuit set in the rolling hills of the Burgundy countryside near Dijon in eastern France. Opened in 1972 and later extended, it is known for its sweeping undulating curves and short lap, which packed plenty of action into a compact, picturesque setting.

The circuit hosted the French Grand Prix on several occasions through the late 1970s and 1980s, and also staged the 1982 Swiss Grand Prix, a race held in France because of Switzerland's ban on motor racing. Despite a relatively brief F1 tenure, Dijon produced some of the most memorable racing of its time.

Memorable Moments

  • 1979: Jean-Pierre Jabouille gave Renault its first F1 victory, the first by a turbocharged car, while behind him René Arnoux and Gilles Villeneuve fought a wheel-banging, last-lap duel for second that is considered one of the greatest battles in the sport's history.
  • 1981: Alain Prost won at Dijon, the first Grand Prix victory of his career, on his way to becoming one of the sport's all-time greats.
  • 1982: Keke Rosberg won the Swiss Grand Prix staged at Dijon, a key result in the season that would carry him to the World Championship.
  • 1977: Mario Andretti won for Lotus, demonstrating the pace of the ground-effect cars that would define the era.

Track Character

Dijon-Prenois is all about flow and momentum. Its sweeping, undulating curves rise and fall across the hillside, demanding a smooth, committed driving style to maintain speed through the fast corners. The short lap meant cars were rarely far apart, encouraging close racing and slipstreaming battles, while the gradient changes added a real test of car balance and driver bravery. The legendary 1979 duel underlined the venue's capacity for spectacle: a compact, fast circuit where racing came thick and fast and side-by-side action was always a possibility.