FAWKHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 16: McLaren Formula One Driver Patrick Tambay of France during the British Grand Prix at the Brands Hatch circuit in Fawkham, England on July 16, 1978. (Photo by Bob Thomas/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Esteban Ocon and the rest of the F1 fraternity paid their tributes after Patrick Tambay passed away aged 73
Former French F1 driver and two-time Grand Prix winner, Patrick Tambay has passed away at the age of 73. During his F1 career, Tambay drove for top teams like Ferrari, Renault and McLaren. The Frenchman was suffering for a long time from Parkinson’s disease and died last night after a cardiac arrest.
Tributes poured in from across the F1 fraternity after the news of Tambay’s demise was confirmed by his family. Alpine F1 team’s French driver, Esteban Ocon took to Twitter to pay his humble tributes after the passing away of his national hero. “I have just learned the sad news concerning the death of Patrick Tambay. An icon of French motorsport has left us. My thoughts go out to his family, friends and loved ones. Rest in peace, Patrick”, Ocon tweeted.
Ocon is one of the many from the F1 fraternity to pay tribute to Tambay on social media. Tambay had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for a long time and passed away on December 4 as a result of cardiac arrest.
The late Patrick Tambay was one of the most well-recognised drivers in Formula One. During his long career in motorsport, Tambay represented a number of F1 teams – Surtees, Theodore, McLaren, Ligier, Ferrari, Renault and Haas Lola. The two-time Grand Prix champion is also considered to be one of the chief reasons for the increase in popularity of the sport in France.
Tambay is most famously remembered for his time with Ferrari in 1982-83. When Tambay’s dear friend Gilles Villeneuve was killed in a horrific crash in qualifying at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix, Ferrari turned to Tambay as his replacement. Tambay won the German GP that season in a car bearing Villeneuve’s famous number 27, and immediately secured a place in the hearts of the famous Ferrari fans, the tifosi.
More Formula One news:
Follow our dedicated Formula One page for instant Formula One news and updates