Gérard Gilles Marie Armand Larrousse is a French former racing driver whose career spanned rallying, endurance racing, and Formula One—before evolving into team leadership at the highest level. His greatest achievements behind the wheel came with back-to-back victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1973 and 1974, driving the formidable Matra-Simca MS670. After retiring from driving, Larrousse remained a key figure in Formula One, first as a team manager with Renault F1 Team and later as founder of his own outfit, Larrousse.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | French |
| Birthplace | Lyon, France |
| Born | 23 May 1940 |
| First Grand Prix | 1974 Belgian Grand Prix |
| Last Grand Prix | 1974 French Grand Prix |
| Years Active | 1974 |
| Current/Last Team | Privateer: Brabham |
Racing career
Rallying roots
Born in Lyon, Larrousse began his motorsport journey in rallying, where he quickly established himself as a skilled and adaptable driver. He claimed the French Rally Championship in an Alpine A110—a car synonymous with agility and success on twisty stages.
He went on to achieve notable international results, particularly in a Porsche 911. Highlights included:
- Victory at the Tour de Corse in 1969
- Second place at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1969, 1970, and 1972
- A sixth-place finish at the 1970 RAC Rally
These performances marked him as one of the leading rally drivers of his era.
Endurance racing success
Larrousse soon shifted focus to circuit racing, where he found his greatest success in endurance events. In 1971, teaming up with Vic Elford, he won the 12 Hours of Sebring in a Porsche 917K and the 1000 km Nürburgring in a Porsche 908/03—two of the sport’s most prestigious races.
His crowning achievements came with Matra. Partnering with Henri Pescarolo, Larrousse secured consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1973 and 1974, driving the Matra-Simca MS670. These wins cemented his reputation as one of endurance racing’s elite drivers.
Formula One appearances
Larrousse also had a brief stint in Formula One, competing in two Grands Prix. He made his debut on 12 May 1974, driving a Brabham BT42 for Scuderia Finotto. Although he didn’t score any World Championship points, his participation placed him among the select group of drivers who have competed at the pinnacle of motorsport.
From driver to team boss
After stepping away from driving, Larrousse transitioned seamlessly into management. He began by running the Elf Switzerland operation in the European Formula Two Championship, developing young talent and gaining valuable behind-the-scenes experience.
He then moved into Formula One leadership, taking charge of the Renault F1 Team during its final years as a full factory effort in 1984 and 1985—a crucial period in the team’s evolution.
The Larrousse Formula One team
In 1987, Larrousse took on his most ambitious project: founding his own Formula One team. The Larrousse outfit competed through to 1994, often battling financial constraints but managing moments of competitiveness.
The team’s best result came in 1990, when it finished sixth in the Constructors’ Championship—an impressive achievement for a relatively small operation. However, like many independent teams of the era, Larrousse struggled to keep pace financially. By the early 1990s, it relied increasingly on pay drivers to survive.
Plans were made to continue into 1995, but funding ultimately fell short, and the team withdrew from Formula One.
Legacy
Few individuals have succeeded both as drivers and team leaders at such a high level. Whether winning Le Mans or guiding a Formula One team, Larrousse consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of racing, making him one of the sport’s most well-rounded figures.
Grand Prix Stats
| Race Entries | 2 |
| Race Starts | 1 |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Best Race Start | 28th |
| Best Race Finish | – |
| Retirements | 1 |
| First-Lap Retirements | 0 |
| Not Classified | 0 |
| Disqualified | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 1 |
Qualifying
| Qualifying Sessions | 2 |
| Reached Q3 | 0 |
| Q2 Eliminations | 0 |
| Q1 Eliminations | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 1 |
Stats by Season
| Year | Constructor | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Privateer: Brabham | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 28 | n/a | 0 | 0 | NC |
