Didier Pironi died 30 years ago

He could have been the first French world champion. A serious accident during practice for the 1982 German Grand Prix broke his legs and his dreams, but in no way diminished his attraction to thrills. It was while competing in an Offshore boat race that he died off the Isle of Wight, thirty years ago.

The name of Didier Pironi appeared on October 29, 1972, when he became the second Elf Pilot in history, one year after Patrick Tambay. Three days earlier, Rene Arnoux won the Volant Shell at Magny-Cours. The French training system has just produced two winners who will mark their era, each in their own way.

Unlike Arnoux, Pironi comes from a wealthy background. His family is of Italian origin. More precisely from the province of Trieste, in the Friuli region. His parents made a good living in France thanks to their public works company, founded in the 40s. Didier Pironi was then known as José Dolhem's cousin. The reality is more complicated because they are in fact from the same father, the mothers of José and Didier being sisters…

Discover our full tribute to Didier Pironi in issue 2128 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version on all platforms and on kiosks.