Top 5 Worst Performing Larrousse F1 drivers

Top 5 Worst Performing Larrousse F1 drivers

By: Brian Cotnoir

Larrousse F1 was another French Formula 1 team that competed in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s with the likes of Renault and Ligier.  While those other French Formula 1 constructors found some moderate success during this time, Larrousse F1 was unfortunately never able to find their footing in the sport.   Larrousse suffered from managerial and ownership issues, a disastrous engine deal with Lamborghini that led to dozens of race retirements, and a slew of underperforming drivers.  I’m actually surprised that Larrousse was able to stay in F1 as long as they did considering how many terrible results they had. 

5.)  Eric Bernard, 2 Seasons, 6 Championship Points Scored, Average Points Finish 16^th

Eric Bernard made his F1 debut with Larrousse in 1989 and ran full-time for the team in 1990 and 1991.   He was teamed up with Aguri Suzuki for his first season, and finished 13^th in the Final Drivers’ Standings that year, only one spot behind his teammate Suzuki.    His best finish was a 4^th place at the 1990 British Grand Prix.  The following season, the team switched from Lamborghini engines to Cosworth and his suffered even worst results, only finishing 2 races the whole season and failing to qualify for the 1991 Portuguese and Japanese Grand Prix.   Ultimately he retired from 20-out-of-34 Grand Prix’s.

4.)  Phillippe Alliot, 4 Seasons, 4 Championship Points Scored

Phillipe Alliot was Larrousse F1’s first ever driver.  He ran a single car entry for the team in 1987, and scored the team’s first championship points.  Alliot’s Best Finish for Larrousse F1 was a 5^th place at the 1993 San Marino Grand Prix.  He did also retire from 33-out-of-62 races for team.

3.)  Erik Comas, 2 Seasons, 3 Championship Points Scored, Average Points Finish of 21^st

Another French Racing driver who did not pan out at Larrousse, Comas’ best finish with the team was a 6^th place (3X), and he failed to finish half of all Grand Prix’s he entered for the team.

2.)  Bertrand Gachot, 1 Season (1992), 1 Championship point Scored, Finished 19^th in the Final Drivers’ Standings

Gachot drove for Larrousse in a one season partnership deal with Venturi.  Gachot had won the 24 hours of Le Mans the year prior, but much like everyone else on this list had terrible results for the team.   Gachot’s only point’s finish came from a 6^th place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix, and he was disqualified from the Canadian Grand Prix for receiving a push start. 

1.) Yannick Dalmas, 1.5 Seasons, 0 Championship Points Scored, Best Finish 9^th (3X)

Although not as terrible as his time spent at AGS, Dalmas didn’t fare much better at Larrousse F1.  Dalmas isn’t a bad driver…just a bad Formula 1 driver.  He is a four-time winner of the 24 Hour of Le Mans race, but he never was able to transfer that success into F1.   Dalmas actually finished 5^th in his third Formula 1 race ever at the 1987 Australian Grand Prix, but because Larrousse only had been listed as a single-car entry, the FIA would not allow Dalmas to receive the points for his finish, and those would have been his only points he ever scored in F1 too.    Dalmas only qualified for 1 race in 1989, the San Marino Grand Prix, which he ended up retiring from.  He would leave the team after 6 rounds and would fail to qualify for any other races that year at AGS.  

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