Équipe Ligier

In 1968, Guy Ligier established “Ligier Cars” to build his own sports cars in fulfilment of the dream that he and best friend Jo Schlesser had shared. Ligier hired Michel Têtu to design the cars, and the first produced was the JS1 prototype, the “JS” being a tribute to his friend who had perished during the French Grand Prix at Rouen in 1968.

Following limited success in the sports-car racing field, Ligier turned his attention to Formula 1, when he bought the assets of Matra Sports. With the experienced team, winner of three consecutive Le Mans 24 Hours, including designer Gérard Ducarouge, a decent budget from cigarette brand Gitanes and the Matra V12 engine, Ligier formed Équipe Ligier in 1976.

The first Ligier F1 car was born (picture above), the JS5-Matra, and the promising Jacques Laffite was hired for the 1976 season and beyond. Twenty championship points, a pole position and a fastest race lap were the very decent results for Jacques Laffite and Ligier, in this first season.