Jacques Laffite, a renowned and accomplished racing driver, embarked on his Formula 1 career in 1974, preceded by a successful stint in the French Formula Three championship.
Initially, Laffite's notable achievements were with the Ligier team, who entered the F1 scene in 1976. During his maiden year with the team, he secured several podium finishes. The subsequent year, 1977, proved to be a breakthrough season for Laffite, as he claimed his first F1 victory in the Swedish Grand Prix.
The 1978 season was a challenging one for most drivers, with the dominant Lotus and Mario Andretti duo. Laffite had to wait until 1979 to be reunited with a competitive car.
The Ligier JS11 was not only an impressive vehicle but also an eye-catching one, and Laffite made the most of it, securing the first two race wins of the 1979 season. He eventually finished fourth in the championship, a testament to his perseverance.
The 1980 season was a virtual replica of the previous year, with Laffite finishing fourth in the championship once more, having secured a win and several solid placings. However, 1981 proved to be his most successful year, as he won twice and narrowly missed out on the drivers' championship by just six points.
The following year was a disappointing one for Laffite, and he made the decision to join Williams for the 1983 season, where he partnered with the reigning world champion, Keke Rosberg. Despite his best efforts, Laffite struggled throughout the year and again in 1984.
For the 1985 season, Laffite returned to Ligier, and his fortunes began to change for the better. However, his F1 career came to a premature end in 1986, following a start-line crash at the British Grand Prix that left him with a broken leg.
In the years since his retirement from racing, Jacques Laffite has become a renowned Formula 1 commentator for French television.
