Patrick Depailler
Patrick André Eugène Joseph Depailler (French: [patʁik ɑ̃dʁe øʒɛn ʒozɛf dəpaje]; 9 August 1944 – 1 August 1980) was a racing driver from France. He participated in 95 World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 2 July 1972. He also participated in several non-championship Formula One races.
Depailler at Dijon in 1975 | |
| Born | 9 August 1944 Clermont-Ferrand, France |
|---|---|
| Died | 1 August 1980 (aged 35) Hockenheim, West Germany |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality | French |
| Active years | 1972, 1974–1980 |
| Teams | Tyrrell, Ligier, Alfa Romeo |
| Entries | 95 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Podiums | 19 |
| Career points | 139 (141) |
| Pole positions | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 4 |
| First entry | 1972 French Grand Prix |
| First win | 1978 Monaco Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1979 Spanish Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1980 British Grand Prix |
Depailler was born in Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme. As a child, he was inspired by Jean Behra. In Formula One, he joined a Tyrrell team that was beginning a long, slow decline, eventually moving to the erratic Ligier team before finally ending up with the revived Alfa Romeo squad in 1980. Depailler was helping to advance this team up the grid when he was killed in a crash at Hockenheim on 1 August 1980, during a private testing session. He was 35 years old at the time.
He won two races, secured one pole position, achieved 19 podiums, and scored a total of 141 championship points.