Alpine was the iconic Renault before the recent rebranding. The team has been around the Formula 1 circus for decades. However, today is a sad day for them as they lost their first winner, Jean-Pierre Jabouille. The French racing driver and engineer passed away at the age of 80. In 1979, he gave the team their first victory at Dijon-Prenois. However, Villeneuve and Arnoux’s battle for P2 took a big piece out of his limelight despite him being the only French driver to win a home race after 3 decades.
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Towards the end of his F1 career, he had a glimpse of what could have been when he won the 1980 Austrian Grand Prix after keeping Alan Jones of Williams at bay. Though he never really saw the apex he deserved, his contribution to Renault is indispensable. Perhaps that’s why the team mourns his loss more than others. Today is about the historic legacy of Jabouille. The team was all set to embark on the said journey with high energy, but alas, they were faced with the news of their legend’s passing.
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Formula One F1 – Canadian Grand Prix – Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Canada – June 19, 2022 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso in action during the race REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
A huge loss for the French racing community and even F1, Jabouille’s legacy will live on.
The Formula 1 fan came out to share their memories of the French legend. However, they weren’t the only ones; the F1 drivers and the French team joined them as well.
Likes of Esteban Ocon and Alain Prost join the fans to remember the legend.
The Alpine team which is owned by the Renault group expressed their grief, calling it a sad moment for motorsport.
It marks another sad moment in French motorsport after the passing of both Patrick Tambay and Philippe Streiff in December. Jean-Pierre, Patrick and Philippe will forever be in our thoughts. pic.twitter.com/bTZgEyy0R9
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 2, 2023
The Formula 1 drivers, namely Esteban Ocon, and Pierre Gasly, voiced their sadness over the demise. To add to that, the French legend himself, Alain Prost who was also the late driver’s brother-in-law, conveyed remembered Jean.
Un grand homme nous a quittés. Je salue la mémoire de Jean-Pierre Jabouille, une légende du sport français qui a marqué à jamais l'histoire de la F1 et de Renault.
Repose en paix champion, et merci pour tout. pic.twitter.com/PPy2Sg8nSc
— Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) February 2, 2023
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
📸: Pierre Gasly via Instagram stories (Repost) pic.twitter.com/cHDbFtKbyn
— PIERRE GASLY Fanbase Update (@pgfanbaseupd) February 3, 2023
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Fans from all over chimed in, calling him an icon and remembering the great driver and his drive at Dijon, which was never really given due credit.
😢😢😢😢. God speed… iconic name always linked to an iconic car.
— Guille (@GuilleMardel) February 2, 2023
One of the most underrated and under appreciated drivers on the grid. Very quick and overall great driver. Will be missed ❤️
— Nick² (@NichP__) February 2, 2023
Sad news! As with many of the past drivers, I can hear Murray Walker saying his name. May he Rest in Peace 🙏🏽
— abbey_65 (@65abbey) February 2, 2023
Very sad news😢 remember his historic win at Dijon well though it was a bit overshadowed by the epic fight for 2nd between Villeneuve and Arnoux
— Hormazd Sorabjee (@hormazdsorabjee) February 3, 2023
One fan even dug out a picture from the late icons trip to Monaco GP in 2017.
Sharp as ever, here at Monaco GP 2017. RIP El Grande! pic.twitter.com/d2AQAgOZnk
— Sinisa Tkalcevic (@stkalcevic) February 2, 2023
But the remembrance of the magic-filled Dijon race, which was a first win for a Turbo F1 car, continued.
The first win for a Turbo F1 car in that magical Dijon race, my deepest sympathy and condolences to all his family and friends, RIP Mr Jabouille
— Max Marzorati (@MaxMarzorati) February 2, 2023
For some, it was a memory of a rendezvous with him that they were reminded of.
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Standing at the helm of the new season, the motor sporting world mourns the loss of the French legend, Jean-Pierre Jabouille. He will be dearly missed. This is a sad day for France and the Formula 1 community. May his soul rest in peace.