Jean-Pierre BELTOISE Biography & Stats

Nationality:  France
Born the 26 april 1937 – Boulogne-Billancourt (Hauts-de-Seine) Die the 5 january 2015 – 77 years – Dakar (Sénégal) – AVC

First Grand Prix: USA 1967
Last Grand Prix: Canada 1974

Best Result: 1st
Best Grid Position: 2th

Jean-Pierre BELTOISE Biography

Paul Jean-Pierre Maurice Georges Beltoise, a well-known French racing driver who raced in both Formula One and Grand Prix motorcycle road racing, was born in Paris, France, on April 26, 1937. Beltoise enjoyed a fruitful professional career, winning many competitions and placing on the podium.

Beltoise started out in motorcycling, where he immediately became well-known in his native country. Beltoise won an amazing 11 French national motorcycle road racing championships in just three years, from 1962 to 1964. During this time, he also participated in numerous classes of motorcycle racing at the Grand Prix level, ranging from 50cc to 500cc. His sixth-place finish at the 1964 50cc World Championship was his best result.

When he was involved in a serious accident during the 12-hour sports car endurance competition at Reims in 1964, his career took a hit. Beltoise’s arm was broken, and the accident significantly limited its range of motion. Despite this setback, he returned in 1965 and won the Formula 3 race at Reims. Beltoise advanced to Formula 2 the following year.

Beltoise raced a Formula Two Matra MS5-Cosworth in the 1966 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring to make his Formula One debut. He lost by one lap overall, but he took first in the F2 division. But he wouldn’t make another Grand Prix outing that year. Beltoise raced a Formula Two Matra MS7 1.6-liter Cosworth in three Grands Prix in 1967 and finished ninth at Watkins Glen and Mexico City. at addition, he triumphed at the 1967 Buenos Aires Grand Prix, which was not a World Championship race.

Beltoise began the 1968 season driving an F2 car before switching to Formula One vehicles. In that year’s Dutch Grand Prix, he came in second place. Beltoise and Jackie Stewart both raced for Ken Tyrrell’s Matra squad in 1969, and they placed second in the French Grand Prix. In 1970 and 1971, he remained a member of the works Matra team, but his career took a tragic turn when he was at fault for the accident that claimed the life of Ignazio Giunti in the 1971 1000 km Buenos Aires race. Beltoise’s international racing permit was consequently revoked for a while.

Beltoise’s ban cost him his F1 position for the 1971 campaign, and Matra hired Chris Amon to drive for them instead. In 1972, Beltoise went racing once more and joined the BRM squad. Beltoise won the 1972 Monaco Grand Prix in the midst of torrential rain, marking the race as his lone Formula One triumph. In the same year, he triumphed in a non-championship race at Brands Hatch. Before leaving Formula One at the conclusion of the 1974 season, Beltoise raced for BRM for three seasons.

Beltoise concentrated on different motorsports after leaving Formula One. He put in a lot of testing time with the Ligier F1 team, but he was unable to gain a seat for the 1976 campaign. Beltoise thereafter focused on touring car racing in France, where he twice won the national championship for BMW. Later, he switched to rallycross, and while operating an Alpine-Renault, he captured the French championship. Beltoise made a comeback to touring cars in 1981 and competed for Peugeot throughout the 1980s. He also took part in ice racing, where he developed a reputation for being skilled.

Beltoise had a successful career in motorsport and also appeared in the Michel Vaillant comic book series, frequently as a member of the victorious Vaillante Le Mans team.

Anthony and Julien Beltoise, who both followed in their father’s footsteps and became race drivers, carry on their father’s passion for motorsport. An skilled and well-liked driver, Paul Jean-Pierre Maurice Georges Beltoise left a lasting impression on the world of motorsport. His contributions to the game will never be forgotten.

Jean-Pierre BELTOISE Stats

Wins

Jean-Pierre BELTOISE has 1 win in his F1 career

Podiums

Jean-Pierre BELTOISE has 8 podiums in his F1 career

Pole positions

Jean-Pierre BELTOISE has in his F1 career

Grands Prix started

Jean-Pierre BELTOISE has started 85 Grands Prix in his F1 career

Teammates

Jean-Pierre BELTOISE has 15 teammates in his F1 career

Result by Grand Prix

Seasons

Jean-Pierre BELTOISE has raced 8 seasons in his F1 career

Retirement / DNF / Abandon

Jean-Pierre BELTOISE has 37 retirements in his F1 career