Jean-LouisSchlesser

A Versatile Career: Jean-Louis Schlesser's Journey Through Motorsport

Jean-Louis Schlesser, born on September 12, 1948, stands as a notable figure in motorsport, distinguished by a career spanning both high-speed circuit racing and the demanding world of cross-country rallying. The nephew of former Formula One driver Jo Schlesser, Jean-Louis himself made two entries into Formula One, though his most significant impact on the sport's history came during a single, pivotal Grand Prix five years after his initial F1 foray.

Early Foundations and Circuit Aspirations

Schlesser's racing journey began after a formative period growing up in Morocco, followed by a return to France for his studies and military service. In the early 1970s, he enrolled at the racing school at Le Mans, marking the start of his competitive career, initially participating in numerous rally events. By 1976, Schlesser transitioned to Formula Three, competing across both the French and European series for six consecutive years. This period saw him share the 1978 French Formula Three championship title with none other than Alain Prost, an early indicator of his talent. Concurrently, his interests diversified; he began racing sports cars in 1977 and made his debut at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours in 1981, securing an impressive second-place finish alongside Philippe Streiff and Jacky Haran. The 1980s also saw him enter touring car racing, competing in the French Supertouring Championship. While a move to Formula Two in 1982 proved unsuccessful, Schlesser's ambition led him to Formula One by 1983, even as he maintained his involvement in sports and touring car categories.

Brief Forays into Formula One

Schlesser's initial taste of Formula One came through his role as a test driver for Williams. In early 1983, he secured a drive with the RAM team, piloting a March-RAM 01-Cosworth. His first competitive F1 outing was the non-championship Race of Champions at Brands Hatch, where he started last among 13 entrants and finished sixth. A week later, at the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard, his qualifying performance placed him as the slowest of the 29 cars, preventing him from making the race start. Following this, Schlesser did not compete in another Formula One race for five years, though he continued his testing duties for Williams and remained actively involved in sports car racing, honing his skills across different disciplines.

The Monza Incident: An Unforgettable Grand Prix Debut

It was in 1988 that Schlesser received an unexpected call-up to Formula One. Williams enlisted him to deputise for an unwell Nigel Mansell at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Qualifying 22nd among the 31 cars, Schlesser made his official Grand Prix debut the day before his 40th birthday. In the race, he steadily climbed to 11th position. However, the event would etch his name into Formula One lore for an entirely different reason. In the closing stages, with three laps remaining, race leader Ayrton Senna in his McLaren was being caught by the Ferraris of Gerhard Berger and Michele Alboreto. As Senna approached to lap Schlesser for the second time at the tight Rettifilo chicane, Schlesser moved wide, anticipating Senna would pass on the inside. In doing so, he locked his brakes. To keep his car on track, Schlesser turned inwards, resulting in his left front wheel making contact with Senna's right rear. The collision broke the McLaren's rear suspension, causing it to spin and beach on a kerb. This incident paved the way for a Ferrari one-two finish on home soil, less than a month after Enzo Ferrari's passing, and crucially, prevented McLaren from achieving a clean sweep of all 16 races in the 1988 season, especially after Alain Prost had retired earlier. Schlesser later stated he did not believe the collision was his fault, though he offered a tearful apology to Senna. The incident's lasting impact was highlighted 25 years later at the 2013 Monaco Grand Prix, where McLaren chairman Ron Dennis famously remarked to Schlesser, "This is the man who ruined my life and our perfect record back in 1988." Schlesser's response, "what happened that day at Monza kept you hungry," reflected a pragmatic view of the high-stakes world of F1.

Dominance in Sports Cars and Touring Cars

The mid-1980s marked a period of significant achievement for Schlesser in touring and sports car racing. In 1985, he clinched the French Touring Car Championship driving a TWR Rover Vitesse. His talent also saw him pilot works TWR Jaguars in the World Sportscar Championship (WSC). After a stint in the British Touring Car Championship in 1986, again with a TWR Rover Vitesse, Schlesser joined the Sauber-Mercedes squad full-time in 1988. That year, he secured the German Supercup title and finished second in the World Sportscar Championship, behind Martin Brundle. His partnership with Sauber-Mercedes peaked with back-to-back WSC titles in 1989 and 1990, sharing both championships with co-driver Mauro Baldi. His final WSC season in 1991 saw him racing alongside future F1 legend Michael Schumacher. Schlesser's circuit racing prowess was further demonstrated by winning the "Classic Masters" title at the 1994 Race of Champions.

Conquering the Desert: A New Chapter in Off-Road Racing

Schlesser's career took a definitive turn towards off-road racing, a discipline where he would achieve unparalleled success. After an initial outing in 1984, he began regular participation in the Paris-Dakar Rally from 1989. A pivotal moment came in 1992 when he started designing and building his own dune buggies. His first creation, the Porsche-powered Schlesser Original, debuted at the Baja Portugal 1000, which Schlesser won outright. This victory was particularly remarkable as he beat factory Citroën cars with a two-wheel-drive vehicle and without a navigator, showcasing exceptional skill and engineering acumen. Over the subsequent years, Schlesser secured numerous 2WD class and overall victories, culminating in back-to-back overall wins at the Dakar Rally in 1999 (Granada-Dakar) and 2000 (Paris-Dakar-Cairo). The 2001 Dakar saw him near victory again, only to be penalised one hour for unsportsmanlike conduct involving the illegal blocking of a competitor. He returned to the Dakar podium in 2004 with a third overall finish and again in 2007, consistently challenging and often surpassing factory efforts while winning stages. His team continued to compete until the 2008 Dakar Rally, which was cancelled due to security concerns. Schlesser's dominance extended to the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup, which he won consecutively from 1998 to 2002, alongside multiple 2WD FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup titles. A testament to his enduring talent, he won every edition of the Africa Eco Race from its establishment in 2009 through to 2014, solidifying his legacy as a true master of off-road endurance racing. Schlesser's career is a testament to his versatility and competitive spirit, transitioning from circuit racing's precision to the rugged demands of cross-country rallying, leaving an indelible mark across multiple motorsport disciplines.