French drivers in F1 – René Arnoux

With 7 victories, René Arnoux is the second most victorious French driver in F1 rear Alain Prost, but could he make a career in today's motorsport? Nothing is less sure. Without the possibilities offered in the 70s, this pilot of modest origins would perhaps have remained at the stage of karting. It was on vacation in Rimini (Italy) that he discovered this sport at the age of 8. An accountant in a paper mill, his father built him his first kart and it didn't take long for the son to win his first regional titles, before being selected for the French team. Where, with modest means, he faced factory drivers such as Ronnie Peterson. At the beginning of the 70s, with a mechanic's qualification in hand, the young Grenoblois emigrated to Turin where he worked for the famous preparer Virgile Conrero. Back in France in 1972, with the idea of ​​opening a garage, he enrolled at the Winfield school in Magny-Cours and won the Volant Shell hands down.

In 1978, Arnoux debuted in F1 at the same time as Martini and Oreca. Due to lack of resources, the adventure will not reach the end of the season. © DPPI

On his way, he also won the European Formula Challenge Renault driving a Martini with seven victories. He is thus ahead of the repeater Patrick Tambay, which marks the start of a rivalry between the two men which continues