René Arnoux

A hard-charging French driver who thrived in the turbo era and secured Ferrari's 1983 Constructors' title.

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René Arnoux is a French former racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1978 to 1989, securing seven Grand Prix victories across twelve seasons. His career peak included a third-place finish in the 1983 World Drivers' Championship while driving for Scuderia Ferrari. Known for his aggressive style and hard-charging approach, Arnoux joined Ferrari alongside Patrick Tambay, creating a dynamic that made both drivers favorites with the tifosi. Their combined results helped Ferrari win the 1983 Constructors' Championship. Arnoux achieved seven wins, 22 podiums, and held the record for the third-most pole positions (18) by a non-World Champion before his career concluded.

Quick Facts

Birth name: René Alexandre Arnoux
Born: 4 July 1948
Birthplace: Pontcharra, Isère, France

Lore & Background

Arnoux joined Scuderia Ferrari for the 1983 season after an unsustainable rivalry with Alain Prost forced him to leave Renault. Arriving as a teammate to fellow Frenchman Patrick Tambay, Arnoux immediately became a favorite of the tifosi due to his aggressive driving style. The partnership proved successful on the track, with both drivers contributing to Ferrari winning the 1983 Constructors' Championship. Arnoux secured three victories that year at the Canadian, German, and Dutch Grands Prix, keeping himself in contention for the world title until the final race of the season in South Africa. However, an engine failure in that deciding race ended his title hopes, leaving him to finish third behind Nelson Piquet and Alain Prost. His win at Zandvoort marked the seventh and final victory of his Formula One career.

Reader's Guide

Drivers and fans should note that Arnoux's time at Ferrari was split between two distinct eras of team dynamics. In 1983, he shared the spotlight with Patrick Tambay, forming a formidable French pairing that secured the Constructors' title. Arnoux drove aggressively to claim three wins, though his championship bid collapsed in South Africa due to engine failure. By 1984, the hierarchy shifted as Michele Alboreto emerged as the team leader. Arnoux struggled for pace and reliability, failing to secure a win or pole position despite finishing second twice. His final podium came at the Dallas Grand Prix on the crumbling track where he started from the pits due to an electrical fault. After the 1985 Brazilian opener, mutual consent ended his Ferrari tenure, replaced by Stefan Johansson.

Did You Know?

His final podium finish occurred at the Dallas Grand Prix in 1984, where he started from the pits after an electrical fault on the warm-up lap.
Arnoux left Ferrari by mutual consent after finishing fourth in the opening race of the 1985 championship in Brazil.