The French event must not be missed by the Diamond. Competing in F1 since 1977, the French brand has been trying to bring turbo engine technology to the top of the hierarchy, without success. The English have even given Renault the ironic nickname “Yellow Tea Pot” because of its propensity for its engines to explode! Jean-Pierre Jabouille and Ren\u00e9 Arnoux are tasked with restoring its reputation at home.<\/p>\n
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The Renault RS10 has finally come of age \u00a9 DPPI<\/p>\n
The South African Grand Prix, contested in Kyalami on March 3, is an opportunity for Renault to reassure itself with the pole position of Jean-Pierre Jabouille. He retired on the first lap… after the V6 turbo broke down. In short, there is work to be done!<\/p>\n
Fortunately, the French engineers have done a lot of work ahead of the French Grand Prix on July 1st. As a result, the Renault RS10, equipped with a double turbo capable of pushing the engine to 500 horsepower and 11 rpm, thrives on the long straight lines of the Dijon track. To the point that \u201cLe Grand Blond\u201d (Jean-Pierre Jabouille’s nickname) took pole in 000’1”07, at an average speed of 190 km\/h. It’s even the first time that a French team has monopolized the front row in F203,602, with Ren\u00e9 Arnoux’s second time.<\/p>\n
Riding fast for 3,8 km is good, but going the distance is better. The pressure is therefore great on the shoulders of the French. The first meters are also slightly disappointing in that it is a red car which takes the lead in the Double Straight at Villeroy. This Classic Ferrari for sale<\/a> is directed by Gilles Villeneuve. The Quebecer will lead the first 46 laps. At this moment, the French public is preparing to witness another defeat for Renault. But that was without counting on Jean-Pierre Jabouille, who came dangerously close to the Italian’s exhausts. Overtaking takes place on the 47th lap.<\/p>\n While turbo technology, revolutionary for the time in motorsport, was reaping its first deserved laurels, Gilles Villeneuve took up a defensive position against Ren\u00e9 Arnoux’s comeback from behind. Every F1 fan knows what happened next: one of, if not the, most epic duels in motorsport. Wheels touched, cars jumped over the curbs…<\/p>\n The Canadian won, somewhat overshadowing the feat of Jean-Pierre Jabouille, who, admittedly, drove more “cleanly” to victory. As for Ren\u00e9 Arnoux, he never tires of recalling this historic day. \u201cNot a week goes by without someone talking to me about this fight. I knew Gilles wasn’t going to give up, he explained in a sequence broadcast on Canal+ in 2018.<\/p>\n The history of French motorsport had just experienced one of its greatest days thanks to the talent and self-sacrifice of Jean-Pierre Jabouille.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DPPI_00001957_008.jpg\")
A historic podium and a race for eternity \u00a9 DPPI<\/p>\n