He only logged two grand prix victories during his two-year stint at Maranello, but he played a huge role in helping to steer the team through a traumatic time, with Villeneuve’s death followed a few months later by another devastating accident that ended the career of Didier Pironi.
Tambay’s easy-going personality made him the perfect man for such a difficult task. Hugely charming and possessed of a winning smile and impeccable manners, he made friends wherever he went. It says a lot that over the course of his career he was often reunited with teams and key personnel years after first working with them – people liked having him around.
