Former F1 driver Philippe Streiff has died
Former French racing driver Philippe Streiff has died at the age of 67.
Just a few weeks after the passing of Patrick Tambay, another great name in French motorsport has gone. Philippe Streiff, former Formula 1 driver from 1984 to 1989, passed away on Friday, December 23rd, at the age of 67.
The Grenoblois had become quadriplegic after a terrible accident in 1989 during private trials on the Jacarepagua circuit, near Rio de Janeiro. When the rear suspension gives way during the Suspiro turn, his AGS is thrown onto the rumble strip; it instantly crosses the barrier, displacing the safety nets, and flips several times where the safety arc is projected. The rescue takes a long time to arrive, while Philippe Streiff is trapped in his car. Following this unfortunate accident and these circumstances, he will have to move around in a wheelchair.
After this tragedy, the driver opens an indoor go-kart track in Paris. He will organize karting competitions, the famous “Masters Kart,” for years, at the Palais omnisports de Paris-Bercy. The first edition will also welcome Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna.
Philippe Streiff was subsequently appointed as a technical advisor to the interministerial delegation for Disabled Persons, then to the Ministry of Transport and to the interministerial delegate for Road Safety.
During his professional career, Philippe Streiff notably achieved a podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Rondeau in 1981 and a victory in Formula 2 with AGS at Brands Hatch in 1984. He then joined the premier category the following year with Ligier, where he obtained his only podium in F1, before moving to Tyrrell in 1986 and 1987. He will end his career with the French team AGS. He competed in a total of 53 Grand Prix races and scored points eleven times.
