Alliot broke into F1 with John MacDonald’s RAM operation in 1984 and spent his rookie year racing the Skoal Bandit, but the car was never able to realize any potential it may have had because its turbocharged Hart engine lacked the longevity necessary to do so. Here he is in the wet at Spa.
Photo: Paul Kooyman
Although he was first afflicted with the racing “bug”when his father took him to Reims as a child, Alliot did not enter competition himself until age 23 after attending a racing school. Working his way up the ladder of the sport he eventually found himself racing both in Formula One and at Le Mans. At Le Mans he posted a pair of podium finishes, the first teamed with Mario and Michael Andretti, the second as part of Peugeot’s successful early-’90s assault. His time in F1 was somewhat less successful, although he did drive for several different teams, just not when they were at the peak of their form. VR’s Mike Jiggle recently spoke with the Frenchman about the ins and outs of his career.
Philippe Alliot Photo: Pete Austin
If I were to ask a modern Grand Prix driver, where did you start racing? Without exception, they would tell me, karting. Was that much the same for you?
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