Gérard Larrousse: The Fast Gentleman
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gérard Larrousse celebrated his 80th birthday on May 23. The Frenchman spent three years of his career as a works driver under Swiss Porsche racing manager Rico Steinemann. Gérard Gilles Marie Armand Larrousse was born in 1940 in Lyon, where his father ran a textile factory. Fascinated by motorcycles and sports cars from an early age, the Frenchman took [...]
Gérard Gilles Marie Armand Larrousse was born in 1940 in Lyon, where his father ran a textile factory. Fascinated by motorcycles and sports cars from an early age, the Frenchman took part in his first rallies in France at the age of 21. After completing his studies and military service, Larrousse decided to make racing his profession in 1966.
From Alpine to Porsche
At first, Larrousse drove as an official factory driver for NSU France, followed by two successful years with Alpine. In 1968, he was Vic Elford's great opponent in the factory Porsche 911 T with a Renault Alpine 1300. Only when the spectators throw snow on the road during a special stage does Gérard lose control of the car and has to give up.
In a way, Larrousse still wins. Because when the senior Porsche engineer Peter Falk approaches Elford shortly afterwards and asks the Briton who the best French racing driver is, he points to Gérard Larrousse. So he was appointed to the Porsche works team in November 1968.
Successes under Rico Steinemann
In his first participation in the Rally Monte Carlo, Gérard Larrousse finishes second behind Björn Waldegaard in January 1969. Finally, that year he not only wins the Tour de Corse in the 911 R, but also the Rallye Neige de Glace and the eight-day Tour de France, a mixture of circuit and mountain races.
At this point, from spring 1969 to the end of 1971, Rico Steinemann from Zurich is racing director and press officer at Porsche, with development chief Ferdinand Piëch the real string puller. Under them, Larrousse finishes second in the 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans with Hans Herrmann. In the closest final of all time, only 120 meters are missing for victory.
This time with Willi Kauhsen as his partner, the Lyon native once again takes second place in the endurance classic on the Sarthe the following year. With Vic Elford, Larrousse wins the 1971 Sebring 12-hour race in a Porsche 917 and the 1000-kilometer race at the Nürburgring with the 908/03 Spyder. At Porsche, Larrousse is described as an all-rounder and the "Gentleman of Lyon".
With Renault into Formula 1
In 1973 and 1974, Larrousse finally also triumphs in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with his French compatriot Henri Pescarolo in a Matra-Simca. In 1974, he also tries his hand at Formula 1 twice with a Scuderia Finotto Brabham BT42, but only qualifies for the Belgian GP, where he retires early.
After finishing his career as a racing driver, he managed, among others, the legendary Equipe Elf Switzerland. From 1976 to 1984, as sports director, he led Renault to the longed-for victory at Le Mans, for example, and took the company into Formula 1, culminating in the first victories of a GP racing car with a turbocharged engine in 1979.
In 1985 and 86, Larrousse was racing director of Ligier F1 before founding his own Formula 1 team with French lawyer Didier Calmels under the name Team Larrousse Calmels. Only in the 1992 to 1994 seasons did Larrousse and his drivers score a total of six world championship points.
Still fit and alert
Gérard Larrousse, who lives in Marseille and has always had a good and close relationship with Switzerland, is now an active and happy pensioner. The jubilarian enjoys spending his time cycling, golfing and automotive activities. There is no question that he can still be found at one modern or classic racing event or another as a guest and interested observer.
