Ligier JS7

Ligier JS7
Ligier JS7/9

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
Weight	580 kg (1,280 lb)
Fuel	Shell
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Ligier Gitanes
Notable drivers	Jacques Laffite Jean-Pierre Jarier
Debut	1977 Argentine Grand Prix
First win	1977 Swedish Grand Prix
Last win	1977 Swedish Grand Prix
Last event	1978 Swedish Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F/Laps 23 1 0 1
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The Ligier JS7 was a Formula One racing car manufactured 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.

Design

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.

Racing history

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)

Year	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Points	WCC
1977	JS7	Matra V12	G		ARG	BRA	RSA	USW	ESP	MON	BEL	SWE	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	NED	ITA	USA	CAN	JPN	18	8th
				Jacques Laffite	NC	Ret	Ret	9	7	7	Ret	1	8	6	Ret	Ret	2	8	7	Ret	5
				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	16	9		5
	JS7/9						5			5		7

* 13 points scored using the JS9.

References

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