Blue in the pitlane

The two Ligier JS11-15s of Jacques Laffite and Didier Pironi are in the pit lane before the 1980 Canadian Grand Prix (pictured above). Didier Pironi set the third fastest time and will therefore start from the second row, while Jacques Laffite is in ninth position.

For 1980, the JS11 was modified with better aerodynamics and improved efficiency of its ground effect sidepods. The team hired Didier Pironi to replace Patrick Depailler, who after his convalescence moved to Alfa Romeo. Jacky Ickx, who had replaced the injured driver, was not retained.

Like its predecessor , the JS11-15 was fast and competitive, but the Brabham BT49 and Williams FW07 were the cars to beat in 1980, and Alan Jones was crowned world champion.

The French team took two wins and could have been in contention for the title, had it not been for frequent suspension failures and punctures caused by the car generating so much downforce that its suspensions and wheels suffered. Ligier nevertheless finished second in the constructors’ championship.

Here at the Canadian Grand Prix, Alan Jones (Williams) won ahead of Carlos Reutemann (Williams) and Didier Pironi (Ligier). Jacques Laffite, unable to do better than ninth, did not score any points.