Dijon, 1979: Twin Turbo Chargers
No race encapsulated Gilles Villeneuve's approach to racing better than his famous duel for second with Rene Arnoux over the final laps of the 1979 French Grand Prix at Dijon. Here is the full race report as published in Autosport magazine after that famous race
Francois Guiter, of Elf, is a very calm man, not given to displaying emotion. His company has known Formula One success in the past, with Tyrrell over many years, and, latterly, with Ligier. For all that, he was clearly moved as he returned to the Elf Club des Pilotes shortly after the finish of the French Grand Prix. A brief smile, then a single, quiet, request: "Champagne" ... Victory in France for a French driver, with a French chassis, engine, tyres, fuel. French everything.
And the Moet flowed. Throughout the paddock, magnums ejaculated like fire hydrants as delirious Renault mechanics showered each other - and anyone else around - with the stuff. "I am pleased; it has been a long project," M. Guiter had said. Jean-Pierre Jabouille and the turbocharged RS11 had done it. Better yet, they had won fair and square, for this was no inherited victory.
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