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Ligier JS5

Ligier JS5
Jacques Laffite GP Italia 1976.jpg
Category Formula One
Constructor Ligier
Designer(s) Gérard Ducarouge
Michel Beaujon
Successor JS7
Technical specifications
Chassis Aluminium monocoque
Axle track Front: 1,536 mm (60.5 in)
Rear: 1,600 mm (63 in)
Wheelbase 2,608 mm (102.7 in)
Engine Matra MS73, 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in), 60° V12, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Hewland 2-200 TL, 5-speed manual
Weight 525 kg (1,157 lb)
Fuel Shell
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Ligier Gitanes
Notable drivers 26. France Jacques Laffite
Debut 1976 Brazilian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F.Laps
16 0 1 1
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0

The Ligier JS5 was the first Formula One racing car made by Ligier. Designed by Gérard Ducarouge, it competed in the 1976 Formula One season, gaining 20 points and getting fifth place overall in the Constructor's Championship. The car also gave its driver Jacques Laffite and Ligier their first ever pole position at the 1976 Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Guy Ligier was a Frenchman that had become wealthy as a result of his construction company. Having participated briefly in Formula One as a driver in the 1960s, he founded a race car company in 1969. This made sportscars, including the JS2 which was raced at Le Mans in 1972. In late 1974, having secured backing from the French tobacco company SEITA, he recruited Gérard Ducarouge from Matra and set about preparing an entry for Formula One.

Ducarouge, with assistance from Michel Beaujon, drew up a conventional monocoque with a long wheelbase that was to be designated the JS5. The JS5 was powered by the Matra MS73 V12 engine which has been used in sportscar racing for the previous few seasons. It was completed in October 1975 and exhibited at SEITA's main offices in Paris and the following month began testing at the Circuit Paul Ricard. To drive the car, Ligier contracted Jacques Laffite after briefly considering the experienced Jean-Pierre Beltoise.

The early races of the year were completed with the JS5 bearing a large airbox (earning the car the nickname of "Teapot") but changes in regulations following the 1976 Spanish Grand Prix saw this drastically downsized. The rear wing was also moved forward. The aerodynamics were improved at the time of building the second JS5 chassis and were substantially less curved than the first chassis built and raced.


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