Patrick Tambay

Patrick Tambay was a French racing driver who competed in Formula 1 between 1977 and 1986, an elegant and articulate competitor best remembered for his emotional spell with Ferrari in the early 1980s. Cultured and reflective by nature, he combined genuine speed with a dignity that made him one of the most admired figures of his generation.

Tambay raced for teams including Ensign, Theodore, McLaren and Ligier, but it was at Ferrari that he made his greatest mark. He joined the Scuderia in 1982 following the death of Gilles Villeneuve, taking over his friend's car, and won the German Grand Prix later that year in deeply poignant circumstances. He won again at the 1983 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, a victory carrying special emotional weight, and finished fourth in the 1983 World Championship. Across his career he scored 2 Grand Prix wins, 11 podium finishes, 5 pole positions and 103 points from 117 starts.

His later years were spent with Renault and Lola as his Formula 1 career wound down in the mid-1980s. Tambay went on to compete in the Paris-Dakar Rally and sports cars and remained a respected ambassador for French motorsport until his death in 2022.

Tambay was a smooth and sensitive driver, quick over a single lap and capable of inspired performances when motivated. His Ferrari years, taking on Gilles Villeneuve's number 27 after the Canadian's death, gave his career a powerful emotional resonance that endeared him to the tifosi and to fans worldwide. Thoughtful and gracious, he is remembered as one of the most cultured and well-liked French drivers of his era.