Jean-Pierre Jabouille

Lore & Background

Jabouille raced in 55 Formula One Grands Prix, collecting two wins during the first years of Renault's turbocharged programme in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Jabouille also raced the 24 Hours of Le Mans from the late 1960s to the early 1990s, driving for Alpine, Matra, Sauber, and Peugeot and collecting third-place overall finishes in 1973 and 1974, with a best result of 10th in 1993.

In Their Own Story

Jabouille sat in his white and blue RS01, checking gauges while the roar of V8 engines vibrated through the cockpit. He knew the turbo would be quieter until the boost kicked in, a gamble on power over tradition. As the lights went out, he held back, conserving fuel, waiting for the moment to unleash the surge that would change racing forever.

Reader's Guide

Jabouille secured Renault's first Formula One victory at the 1979 French Grand Prix, also from pole. This was the first victory for a turbocharged car in Formula One. He took two more poles in 1979, at the German and Italian Grands Prix, but poor reliability meant the win was his only score. In 1980, he took two more poles and another win at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Did You Know?

• Jabouille's first Formula One victory was at the 1979 French Grand Prix, the first ever for a turbocharged car.
• He died on 2 February 2023 at the age of 80.
• He co-drove a Matra to third at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1973 and 1974.