French ex F1 driver Patrick Tambay passes at 73
Former F1 driver Patrick Tambay who was a star for McLaren and Ferrari dies at the age of 73 following a protracted illness.
Patrick Tambay, a former Formula One driver from France who won two Grands Prix for Ferrari in the 1980s, passed away on Sunday at the age of 73 following a protracted illness, as per his family.
Tambay, who had Parkinson's disease, had spells with the Renault, McLaren, and Theodore teams.
However, he achieved his two career victories while racing for Ferrari.
Very sad to hear that Patrick Tambay had passed away
— GrandPrix+ (@grandprixplus) December 4, 2022
Such a lovely bloke!
RIP Patrick pic.twitter.com/jPdCJ67RdX
The first occurred in 1982 at Hockenheim, and the second came the following year at Imola, the legendary Italian builder's home track. He replaced Gilles Villeneuve at Ferrari after his friend's tragic accident during the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.
Tambay served as the godfather to Villeneuve's 1997 world-champion son, Jacques.
Tambay, a Paris native who competed in 123 Grands Prix, finished fourth in the 1983 world championship and retired in 1986 with five pole positions to his credit.