Ligier JS7

Last updated
Ligier JS7
Category Formula One
Constructor Ligier
Designer(s) Gérard Ducarouge (Technical Director)
Michel Beaujon (Chief Designer)
Robert Choulet (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor JS5
Successor JS9
Technical specifications [1]
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 MS76, 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in), 60° V12, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Hewland 2-200 TL 6-speed manual
Weight580 kg (1,280 lb)
Fuel Shell
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Ligier Gitanes
Notable drivers Flag of France.svg Jacques Laffite
Flag of France.svg Jean-Pierre Jarier
Debut 1977 Argentine Grand Prix
First win 1977 Swedish Grand Prix
Last win1977 Swedish Grand Prix
Last event 1978 Swedish Grand Prix
RacesWins Poles F/Laps
23120
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Ligier JS7 was the second Formula One racing car made by Ligier. As with the preceding JS5, the letters "JS" were in tribute to Guy Ligier's friend Jo Schlesser who was killed in the 1968 French Grand Prix.

Aside from using the Matra V12 rather than the usual Ford Cosworth unit, the JS7 was a very conventional design with a Hewland six-speed transmission and a longitudinally mounted engine and wishbone suspension. The JS7 forwent the giant air intake of the preceding JS5. [2] The front wing design echoed that of the Ferrari 312T.

The JS7 competed in the 1977 Formula One season and the first two races of the 1978 season. An updated version, dubbed the JS7/9 was used for three races in 1978 until the definitive 1978 car, the JS9 was ready. Laffite's victory in the 1977 Swedish Grand Prix was the first all-French victory - chassis, engine and driver - in World Championship history. [3]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

YearChassisEngineTyresDrivers1234567891011121314151617PointsWCC
1977 JS7 Matra V12 G ARG BRA RSA USW ESP MON BEL SWE FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA USA CAN JPN 188th
Jacques Laffite NCRetRet977Ret186RetRet287Ret5
Jean-Pierre Jarier Ret
1978 JS7 Matra V12 G ARG BRA RSA USW MON BEL ESP SWE FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA USA CAN 19*6th
Jacques Laffite 1695
JS7/9557

* 13 points scored using the JS9.

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References

  1. Ligier JS7 @ StatsF1
  2. Thevenet, Jean-Paul, ed. (January 1977). "Nouveautés F1 1977" [F1 News 1977]. L'Automobile (in French). Neuilly, France: Societé des Editions Techniques et Touristiques de France (367): 74.
  3. Brown, Allen. "Ligier JS7 car-by-car histories". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 22 September 2017.