Jacques Laffite was a successful and popular racing driver, who started his F1 career in 1974, after competing in the French F3 championship.

Jacques first successes were with the Ligier team who entered F1 in 1976. He scored a couple of podium finishers in that first year, and in 1977 scored his breakthrough win in the Swedish Grand Prix.

1978 was a tough year for just about everyone as Lotus and Mario Andretti totally dominated the year, and Jacques had to wait until 1979 before having a truly competitive car.

The Ligier JS11 was as good as it was striking, and he won the first two races of the 1979 season in it, eventually finishing fourth into he championship. 1980 was a virtual re-run of 1979, finishing fourth again in the championship with a win and other solid placings, but 1981 was his best year, winning twice, but coming withing 6 points of winning the drivers' championship.

The following year was a poor one for Lafitte, and he moved to Williams for 1983, as team mate to then-world champion Keke Rosberg, but he struggled through the year, and again in 1984.

He moved back to Ligier for 1985, and the results started to come his way again, but in 1986, after having several good races his legs were broken in a start line crash at the British Grand Prix and his F1 career was over.

Since then, Jacques has become an F1 commentator for French TV.