François Mazet (born 24 February 1943 in Paris) is a French former racing driver whose Formula One career consisted of a single World Championship appearance. He finished that race in 13th place and scored no points.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | French |
| Birthplace | Paris, France |
| Born | 24 February 1943 |
| First Grand Prix | 1971 French Grand Prix |
| Last Grand Prix | 1971 French Grand Prix |
| Years Active | 1971 |
| Current/Last Team | Privateer: Jo Siffert Automobiles March |
Mazet’s route towards Grand Prix racing began with a championship-winning season in 1969, when he drove a Tecno to the French Formula Three title. He stepped up to Formula Two the following year, joining Tim Schenken at the Sports Motor team, but the move produced little success.
Backed by Shell, Mazet found other opportunities. He deputised in Jo Siffert’s Formula Two Chevron whenever the Swiss star was unavailable and also raced touring cars for Ford Germany.
The relationship with Siffert ultimately opened Formula One’s door. At the 1971 French Grand Prix, staged at Paul Ricard, Mazet drove the team’s March 701. He reached the finish in 13th, but the appearance proved to be both his first and last attempt at a World Championship Grand Prix.
Mazet remained connected to Formula One after leaving the cockpit. During the 1980s, he helped manage Essex Petroleum’s high-profile sponsorship of Team Lotus—a partnership remembered almost as much for its theatrical presentation as for its unmistakable red, blue and silver livery.
His later career took a considerably quieter turn. Mazet became a lemon grower in Menton on the French Riviera, cultivating the fruit in his own orchard. He has since made several media appearances promoting Menton’s celebrated citrus produce, exchanging racing paddocks for lemon groves without entirely leaving the spotlight behind.
Grand Prix Stats
| Race Entries | 1 |
| Race Starts | 1 |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Best Race Start | 23rd |
| Best Race Finish | 13th |
| Retirements | 0 |
| First-Lap Retirements | 0 |
| Not Classified | 0 |
| Disqualified | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 0 |
Qualifying
| Qualifying Sessions | 1 |
| Reached Q3 | 0 |
| Q2 Eliminations | 0 |
| Q1 Eliminations | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 0 |
Stats by Season
| Year | Constructor | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Privateer: Jo Siffert Automobiles March | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 13 | 0 | 0 | NC |
Stats by Constructor
| Constructor | Years | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Privateer: Jo Siffert Automobiles March | 1971 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
