Frenchies for Tyrrell

Ken Tyrrell signed two fast French drivers, Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jarier (picture-above) for the 1979 Formula One season, and secured sponsorship from Candy Appliances for his team. Expectations were high as a new single-seater, the 009, vastly inspired by the all-conquering Lotus 79, was designed by engineer Maurice Philippe.

Didier Pironi was starting his second year with the team, after showing promise the previous season alongside Patrick Depailler, who had decided to leave Team Tyrrell and accept the offer of Guy Ligier, who, for the first time, entered a second car alongside Jacques Laffite.

Jean-Pierre Jarier came from a difficult start of the 1978 season with the ATS team, then impressed tremendously when he, as a replacement for the regretted Peterson at Lotus, dominated the Canadian and the US Grand Prix that he should have won, only to be halted by mechanical issues.

Similar results in 1979 for the two drivers, with two podiums, 14 championship points each, and 10th and 11th in the final standings, but definitely not the anticipated successes for the once great Team Tyrrell, only fifth in the International Cup for F1 Constructors, but that Candy livery (here-below Jarier in Monaco), remains iconic to this day.