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  Ligier JS11 Cosworth      

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Country of origin:France
Produced from:1979 - 1980
Numbers built:4
Designed by:Gerard Ducarouge
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:October 22, 2014
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Click here to download printer friendly versionUnderlining the team's renewed commitment, Ligier fielded a second car for Patrick Depailler from the first race of the 1979 season. The efforts over the winter were immediately awarded with convincing victories in the Argentinian and Brazilian Grands Prix for Laffite and a win in Spain for Depailler. He also finished second in Brazil, creating the team's first one-two in only its second attempt. Halfway through the season Ligier's fortunes turned. It started when Depailler was injured in a hang-gliding accident and was replaced by Jacky Ickx, who failed to impress. Using the input from a new wind-tunnel partner (a government establishment), a development package was created, which actually slowed the JS11 down and made them prone to suspension failure. No more victories were scored in 1979.

Despite the late season slump, Ligier did manage to hold on to third in the championship. For 1980, Ducarouge further developed the JS11 and used the four existing tubs to create the JS11/15. Much of the redesign work focused on the rear-end and aerodynamics. The 'ground effect' was now so efficient that at fast circuits the cars ran without front wings. The competition (Brabham and Williams in particular) had also caught on and the Ligiers could only claim two victories; one for Laffite and another for newcomer Didier Pironi. Consistent results of bought drivers did bring in enough points (66) to improve on the 1979 constructor's standings.

It was all change again for Ligier in 1981 with new partnerships with Michelin and Talbot. The latter meant that the Matra engine was back. Although the new JS17 was not as competitive as the JS11, it did manage to score two more victories for the French team. Ligier's results dwindled in the following years making the Cosworth engined JS11 its most successful F1 car, with five victories, and a third and second in the constructor's championship. Remarkably over two full seasons of racing the team only used four tubs, which was a great tribute to the strength of the Ducarouge design and the restraint of its drivers.

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  Article Image gallery (67) Chassis (3) Specifications User Comments (1)