Jean-Pierre Jaussaud
Jean-Pierre Jaussaud is a French former racing driver, noted for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978 and 1980.
Jaussaud was born in Caen, Calvados, and started racing in automobiles in 1962, taking courses in the Jim Russell Drivers School and the Winfield Racing School. In 1964, he graduated to Formula Three racing, with backing from Shell, and joined the works Matra team in 1966, where he stayed for two years, and won the French title in 1970, in a private Tecno.
In 1971 he moved full-time to Formula Two in a works March, and the following year drove a privateer Brabham and fought for the European Formula 2 title with Mike Hailwood. In 1975 Jaussaud quit single-seaters and entered endurance racing, where he was invited to drive for Renault Sport starting in 1976. Two years later, Jaussaud and partner Didier Pironi won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race overall.
Although he tested the Renault F1 car, Jaussaud instead stayed in touring cars and endurance, winning the 1979 Production title in a Triumph Dolomite. Teaming up with Jean Rondeau, he won at Le Mans once more, and also took part in the Paris-Dakar Rally for Rondeau's team. Jaussaud continued racing until 1992, when he retired to become a racing instructor.
24 Hours of Le Mans results
Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | ||
1966 | Matra Sports SARL | Henri Pescarolo | Matra MS620 - BRM | P 2.0 | 38 | DNF | DNF |
1967 | Matra Sports SARL | Henri Pescarolo | Matra MS630 - BRM | P 2.0 | 55 | DNF | DNF |
1973 | Equipe Matra-Simca Shell | Jean-Pierre Jabouille | Matra-Simca MS670B | S 3.0 | 331 | 3rd | 3rd |
1974 | Equipe Matra-Simca Gitanes | Bob Wollek José Dolhem | Matra-Simca MS670B | S 3.0 | DNF | DNF | |
1975 | Gulf Research Racing Co. | Vern Schuppan | Mirage-Ford GR8 | S 3.0 | 330 | 3rd | 3rd |
1976 | Inaltera | Christine Beckers Jean Rondeau | Inaltera-Ford LM76 | GTP | 264 | 21st | 3rd |
1977 | Équipe Renault Elf | Patrick Tambay | Renault Alpine A442 | S 3.0 | 158 | DNF | DNF |
1978 | Équipe Renault Elf | Didier Pironi | Renault Alpine A442B | S 3.0 | 369 | 1st | 1st |
1979 | Grand Touring Cars Ltd. Ford Concessionaires France | Vern Schuppan David Hobbs | Mirage M10 | S 3.0 | 121 | NC | NC |
1980 | LePoint Jean Rondeau | Jean Rondeau | Rondeau M379 | S 3.0 | 338 | 1st | 1st |
1981 | Otis Jean Rondeau | Jean Rondeau | Rondeau M379 | S 3.0 | 58 | DNF | DNF |
1982 | Otis Jean Rondeau | Jean Rondeau | Rondeau M382 | C | 111 | DNF | DNF |
1983 | Otis Jean Rondeau | Philippe Streiff | Rondeau M482 | C | 12 | DNF | DNF |