DOB: 25th June 1949
Nationality: French
GP Starts: 120
GP Wins: 2
Pole Positions: 5
Points Scored: 103
Born in France on 25th June 1949, Tambay worked his way up through the racing ranks from Formula 2 to F1. His F1 career spanned nine years from 1977-1986, however his involvement in motor sport began back in 1972 in the European Formula Renault Championship and continues today, 36 years later, with him competing in the Grand Prix Masters Series.
Tambay's debut drive in F1 was with Ensign in 1977. That year he also won the CAN-AM championship and competed in Le Mans. The following season he moved to McLaren and finished 13th in the F1 Championship.
He joined the Ligier F1 team in 1981 and finished 18th overall in the Drivers Championship. Ferrari was to be his next stop and also where he would achieve his most successful F1 seasons. Tambay came home seventh overall in 1982 and fourth in 1983. From Ferrari, Tambay moved to Renault for 1984 and 1985, finishing 7th and 11th respectively.
His final season in F1 was driving for Lola in 1986, he finished 15th that season before retiring from F1 at the age of 37.
Patrick did not opt for a relaxing retirement; instead he has been involved in endurance racing, ice racing, jet skiing and desert racing.
He has completed the Rally Paris-Dakar six times as well as competing in the 24hours Sur Glace de Chamonoix on four occasions. Tambay retired from driving altogether in 1996 and has since been a commentator on French television as well as mayor of Le Cannet, an upmarket suburb of Cannes.
Career History:
1972: Debut in the European Formula Renault Championship with an Alpine A360
1973: Vice champion in the European Formula Renault with an Alpine A366. Finished 20th in the "Rally Automobile de Monaco"
1974: Debut in the European Formula 2 Championship with Elf 2 BMW
1975: Vice champion in the European Formula 2 Championship with March ELF BMW
1976: Finished 3rd in the European Formula 2 Championship with Martini-Renault
1977: Debut and finished 17th in the Formula 1 World Championship with Ensign. Won the CAN-AM Championship with Lola-Chaparal Carl Haas. Competed in the “24 Hours le Mans” with Renault. Competed in the Grand-Prix de Pau F2 Chevron : Pole Position
1978: Finished 13th in the Formula 1 World Championship with McLaren. Competed in the Grand-Prix of Paul F2 Chevron : Pole Position
1979: Competed in the Formula 1 World Championship with McLaren
1980: Won the CAN-AM Championship with Lola Carl Haas. Competed in the “24 Hours le Mans” with Rondeau
1981: Finished 18th in the Formula 1 World Championship with Théodore and Ligier
1982: Finished 7th in the Formula 1 World Championship with Ferrari
1983: Finished 4th in the Formula 1 World Championship with Ferrari
1984: Finished 7th in the Formula 1 World Championship with Renault
1985: Finished 11th in the Formula 1 World Championship with Renault
1986: Finished 15th in the Formula 1 World Championship with Lola Carl Haas
1987: Finished 20th in the "Rally Paris-Dakar" with Range Rover. Finished 2nd in the Spanish Baja with Range Rover. Finished 2nd in the Porsche Cup 944 Trophy in Paul
1988: Finished 3rd in the "Rally Paris-Dakar" with Range Rover
1989: Finished 3rd in the "Rally Paris-Dakar" with Mitsubishi. Competed in the Sports-Prototype World Championship with a Jaguar XJR9. Finished 4th in the "24 Hours Le Mans"
1990: Competed in the "Rally Paris-Dakar". Finished 2nd in the Tunisian Rally with Lada Samara. Finished 2nd in the "Pharoahs Rally" with Lada Samara.
1991: Finished 7th in the "Rally Paris-Dakar" with Lada Samara
1992: Competed in the "Winter Andros Trophy" with BMW. Finished 4th in the "24 Hours sur Glace de Chamonix" with BMW
1993: Competed in the "24 Hours sur Glace de Chamonix" with Mercedes
1994: Competed in the "24 Hours sur Glace de Chamonix" with Mercedes. Shareholder and Sporting Director of Larrousse F1
1995: Competed in the Winter Andros Trophy with Ford Escort Cosworth. Finished 5th in the "24 Hours sur Glace de Chamonix". Finished 3rd in the "Master Rally Paris-Moscou-Péking"
1996: Finished 17th in the "Rally Paris-Dakar"
