Gérard Larrousse, from eclectic driver to eclectic team boss

On this Saturday, May 23, let's wish a happy 80th birthday to Gérard Larrousse, coming back on a long and brilliant career in motorsport.

Like most drivers of his generation, Gérard Larrousse will not be satisfied with just one discipline. THE rally will be his first field of expression in the 60s, on Renault Dauphine and R8 Gordini.

Official NSU France driver, it is with Alpine which it revealed itself in 1967 at the national level with the Berlinette A110. After several prestigious successes, the Lyonnais enters the fold Porsche in 1969 and won his first international victory at the Tour de Corse after securing a double for the German brand at the Monte-Carlo Rally behind Björn Waldegård.

Unfortunately for Gérard Larrousse, Monte-Carl' did not smile on him, second again in 1970 and 1972, always with the German firm. If he continued his career in rallying until the mid-70s, it was in Endurance that the other beautiful chapter of Gérard Larrousse's racing career will be written.

Engaged in long circuit events from the end of the 60s with Alpine then with Porsche, Larrousse twice finished second in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1969 and 1970 with the Porsche 908 and 917, also winning the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 1000 Nürburgring 1971 km with Vic Elford.

It is finally with Matra that Gérard Larrousse will be rewarded in Sarthe by winning the 1973 and 1974 editions with Henri Pescarolo.

Winner of the Targo Florio in 1974 with Amilcare Ballestrieri, the year he entered two Grands Prix in F1 (a departure for Belgium), Gérard Larrousse will then swap his driver's costume for that of team boss, that of the Renault Losange.

Endurance will be his first field of conquest with the Renault adventure in 1978.Alpine and the A442B, taken to the highest step of the podium by Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud.

The rally, with the debut of the Renault R5 Turbo, but also F1 will be two other theaters of victories for the Lyonnais troops.

After the Renault epic, Gérard Larrousse also launched a new challenge in F1, in association with Didier Calmels at the end of the 80s. Today president of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Drivers' Club, Gérard Larrousse remains involved as a Porsche ambassador.