French drivers in F1 – Patrick Depailler

Born August 9, 1944 in Clermont)Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme)

Died August 1, 1980 in Hockenheim (Germany)

Would this son of an architect from Clermont have used his dental prosthetist diploma if reading Motorcycle Revue hadn't encouraged him to run? The question remains unanswered, because despite his shyness, Patrick Depailler quickly revealed himself as a lion on the handlebars, then at the wheel. The Charade circuit was his learning ground. In 1963, he impressed Jean-Pierre Beltoise who would subsequently be a supporter of choice. The following year, Depailler was selected as part of Operation Ford Jeunesse. Thanks to two 2e places in Charade and Cognac, followed by a victory in Montlhéry, he ranks 5e of the Provincial Cup. Returning to two wheels, he became vice-champion of France 250 cm3 in 1966 and signed up for Volant Shell. If he is beaten in the final by François Cevert, he does not lose because Alpine offers him a three-year contract. In Dieppe, Mauro Banchi takes the young Auvergne under his wing.

1972 French Grand Prix at Charade: on the circuit of his debut, the Clermontois competed in his first Grand Prix at the wheel of the Tyrrell 004, in his characteristic voluntary style © DPPI

The latter begins in F3 in 1967 and, with any luck, won the