The Ligier JS11/15 scores a third-place finish in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix
23 - 25 April 2021 –The 12th Monaco Historic Grand Prix provided a journey back to the past of the Ligier brand. Among the Formula 1 cars racing was a Ligier JS11/15, the most prestigious F1 of the brand, which shined during the 1980 season in the hands of the Laffite/Pironi duo. The French constructor's car scored another success in 2021 as it clinched a third-place finish on the podium in its category with Matteo Ferrer-Aza at the wheel.
Eighteen Formula 1 cars from between 1977 and 1980 did battle on the Monegasque circuit's asphalt last weekend. Among them was a Ligier JS11/15 in the hands of Italian driver, Matteo Ferrer-Aza.
On Friday 23 April, the #26 Ligier JS11/15 set the fifth-quickest time in the 30-minute free practice session even though it did only seven laps. “The gearbox failed,” explained Ferrer-Aza. “I was only able to do five laps. In the first two I warmed up the tyres. It was my first outing on the Monaco circuit and I hadn't driven the Ligier JS11/15 since September 2019!”
The next day there was a big disappointment in store in qualifying as the Ligier didn't manage to set a time. “After free practice, the mechanics did a super job and were able to repair the gearbox,” says Matteo. “I was ready to go out at the start of qualifying and a minute before the session began, the engine stalled. We couldn't get it to fire up again over the next twenty-five minutes. We tried everything. We changed what we could. In fact, it was a sensor that had failed. And we had to remove the engine from the chassis to change it. Mechanically speaking, we've never had so many problems. It was a spare engine with which we hadn't been able to do any running. So I wasn't able to qualify. But I managed to get an authorisation from the stewards to start the race.”
On Sunday 25 April he had to start from the back of the grid. But the young Italian got the bit between his teeth and picked off his rivals one by one to score a brilliant third place. “I started in eighteenth spot,” says Matteo. “Some cars retired on the warm-up lap which already helped me gain a few places. It was my first standing start. I loved it! It adds more competition. I made a good getaway and before the Saint-Dévote corner I'd already passed three cars. Then I got into my rhythm and I overtook the other competitors wherever I could. It wasn't always easy on this circuit!
“My aim before the weekend began was to score a podium finish. On Sunday when I started the race taking all the incidents that had already occurred into account I said to myself, ‘if I finish the race, I'll be happy.' I didn't want to take any risks and I wanted to bring the car home in one piece! With three or four laps to go to the finish I had another problem with the gearbox and I had to lift off. I was fourth. With a lap to go to the flag I wasn't really able to read my position on the board my wife was holding. I thought I saw three, but I wasn't sure. There was a Tyrrell in the tyre wall, but I didn't know if it was in front of me or not. I was so happy when I learned that I was on the podium. It was pretty unbelievable to finish on the podium after so much bad luck. It was a big moment that'll remain engraved in me. Jacques Laffite finished second in 1980 so I wasn't able to beat the master!”
More than four decades after taking part in the Formula 1 World Championship the Ligier single-seater continues to bag podium finishes! In 2019, Ferrer-Aza had already won the FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship at the wheel of this JS11/15.
The JS11/15 should participate to at least two other races this year – maybe Estoril and Portimao. To be continued!
To consult the full classification, CLICK HERE.
Photo credit: Jean-Claude Azria