It’s 35 years to the day since French F1 driver Didier Pironi was killed after he was involved in a tragic accident whilst racing a powerboat off The Needles.
Pironi was competing in The Needles Trophy Race around the Isle of Wight when the accident happened just off the coast of the landmark attraction on 23rd August 1987.
It’s reported that his boat – the Colibri 4 – flipped over when it hit a rough wave caused by a passing oil tanker.
The 35-year-old Frenchman was the winner of the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1978 and raced in over 70 Grand Prix races throughout his career.
2 other members of the crew also died. They were journalist Bernard Giroux and Jean-Claude Guénard – a fellow motorsport driver.
This video looks back at the fatal incident…
He was on course to be France’s first formula one world champion until the dreadful accident at Hockenheim in 1982 that ended his car racing career. A truly gifted driver who was fated to be taken too soon. Used to love watching him race, in cars and boats.