Patrick Depailler

Patrick André Eugène Joseph Depailler (born 9 August 1944 in Clermont-Ferrand, France) is a former Grand Prix racing driver famous for his appearances in Formula One.

Formula One

1976

At the beginning of the season, Depailler was forced to sit on the sidelines as a result of failing to find a drive. However, at the non-championship BRDC International Trophy event Depailler was called upon by Scuderia Ferrari to race alongside Niki Lauda. A good performance from the Frenchman netted Depailler a reserve role at the Scuderia.

Following the death of Niki Lauda at the Soviet Grand Prix, Ferrari withdrew from the French Grand Prix - before returning to the championship at Brands Hatch with Depailler in Lauda's place. Nearly all of Depailler's 1976 outings ended up in retirement, barring the Austrian Grand Prix - which he won - and the Italian Grand Prix, where he came second to teammate Jody Scheckter.

1977

Patrick Depailler returned to the Scuderia for the 1976 season. His season started well, taking pole position at three of the four opening races, though strangely his first win of the year came at the South African Grand Prix - where he did not qualify on pole. Depailler followed Scheckter home for a Ferrari one-two at the Belgian Grand Prix. Depailler would win another race, in The Netherlands, before it was announced that he would be benched by the Scuderia in Italy and Canada in order for them to evaluate a possible replacement for him in 1978. These candidates were Elio de Angelis and Gilles Villeneuve - both of which would impress on their respective trials - with Villeneuve even scoring a maiden win on his debut for Ferrari. Whilst he was shut out of the team for these two race, Depailler would race for the Williams Racing team - replacing the injured Alan Jones. Depailler's best result for Williams would be an impressive third in Italy - one place behind his Ferrari stand-in De Angelis.