Philippe Streiff, who reached the Formula 1 podium in his sixth attempt before his career was cut short by injury, has died at the age of 67.
The French racer competed in sports cars and showed promise in the European Formula 3 Championship before progressing to Formula 2. In 1984 he scored a victory for Automobile Gonfarones Sportives – better known as AGS – and was selected by Renault to make his F1 debut. In the same year.
In the year
In five races at the end of the season, Steriff took home the Renault-powered car four times and seized the opportunity to take his best result at the end of the season. However, after speaking with team-mate Jacques Lafitte, he instructed the pair to protect each other as they moved around the arena in the final lap. Streiff pulls the JS25 to the line, the front wheels follow the contact and ask.
In the year In 1986, when René Arnoux joined the team, there was no place for Streiff, but he found a place in Tyrrell, which also uses Renault engines. After finishing seventh in his first race for the team, behind team-mate Martin Brundle in second place, Streiff managed to complete the season with two points. Finishing his first full season in F1 13th in the standings, he also finished two places behind Brundle.
In the year By 1987 the team was trading Cosworth DFV power for Renault turbos, and the points were few and far between. However, he and team-mate Jonathan Palmer were strong contenders for the new Jim Clark Trophy, a one-time trophy awarded to the top driver in a regularly sought-after car. The pair were normally between the first two non-turbo houses, but Palmer narrowly dominated the race to take the title. Streif had the distinction of taking the team’s best result of the season with fourth place at Hockenheimring.
He returned to AGS for 1988, having entered F1 two years earlier, but had a disastrous 1987 race with the JH22 chassis. In the year The car ran out occasionally and by the time it got to the checkered flag she was several laps behind the winner.
Streiff continued with the team, but early in 1989 their pre-season preparations at the Jacarepagua circuit in Brazil took a turn for the worse. He fell heavily and suffered serious injuries that left him paralyzed for the rest of his life.
Following his recovery, Stryff founded a karting event for F1 drivers which was held in Paris for many years and attracted the likes of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. He also commented on motorsport for French television.
Brundle remembered Steriff as a “lovely man” who was “beautiful inside and out of the car”. F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said he was “saddened” to learn of his death.
“He showed incredible courage and determination throughout his life,” Domenicali said. “The way he overcame the tragedy and rebuilt his life was inspiring. We all wish their families comfort during this sad time.
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