Alliot and the Lambo

Philippe Alliot (born 27 July 1954) is a former French racing driver who participated in Formula One from 1984 to 1990 and from 1993 to 1994. He raced for the RAM, Ligier, Larrousse and McLaren (one race) teams.

Picture above: Philippe Alliot at the start of the 1989 Belgian Grand Prix in his Lola-Lamborghini entered by Larrousse. He qualified in an excellent eleventh position (in a 30-car field), 0.8s faster than his team mate Alboreto in 22nd. Alliot was forced to retire on lap 39, when his Lamborghini engine broke, he later declared: “I was fast and enjoyed the race while it lasted, and this Lamborghini engine: it produced the best noise ever in F1, unfortunately, it was heavy, thirsty and unreliable.”

Alliot, scored one point only in 1989, with sixth in Spain (picture below), left Formula 1 for sports car racing in the early 1990s and enjoyed considerable success with the Peugeot Sport team, run by Jean Todt. Often, the fastest driver of the team over one lap, he finished twice in third place at the 1992 and 1993 24 Hours of Le Mans.