Racing driver and winner of three Grand Prix. Pironi was born in Villescresnes, Val-de-Marne, France and was destined to almost win the World F1 Championship in 1982. In 1978 and 1979, he drove for Tyrrell, in 1980 for Ligier, and in 1981 and 1982 for Ferrari when he teamed up with Gilles Villeneuve. In 1981 he struggled to match the speed of his team mate but in 1982 was more evenly matched. However their friendship ended when in the closing stages of the San Marino GP, against team orders, he overtook Villeneuve and won the race. Villeneuve was furious for a break of trust and they never again spoke. Villeneuve tragically died during practise for the Belgian GP, and in a rain-soaked German GP practise at Hockenheim, Pironi collided with the rear of another car was so seriously injured, his motor racing career came to an end. After a great many operations to his legs, he returned to racing in the form of powerboats, but then lost his life and those of his two crewmen, when his powerboats overturned in the Solent off Southampton.
Racing driver and winner of three Grand Prix. Pironi was born in Villescresnes, Val-de-Marne, France and was destined to almost win the World F1 Championship in 1982. In 1978 and 1979, he drove for Tyrrell, in 1980 for Ligier, and in 1981 and 1982 for Ferrari when he teamed up with Gilles Villeneuve. In 1981 he struggled to match the speed of his team mate but in 1982 was more evenly matched. However their friendship ended when in the closing stages of the San Marino GP, against team orders, he overtook Villeneuve and won the race. Villeneuve was furious for a break of trust and they never again spoke. Villeneuve tragically died during practise for the Belgian GP, and in a rain-soaked German GP practise at Hockenheim, Pironi collided with the rear of another car was so seriously injured, his motor racing career came to an end. After a great many operations to his legs, he returned to racing in the form of powerboats, but then lost his life and those of his two crewmen, when his powerboats overturned in the Solent off Southampton.
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