11 replies to this topic

[Mig007]

Hello

This is one more entry of my DB, this time concerning François Hesnault. Can you help me completing that? And telling me a little more about this rider? The sources were F1 Rejects and Wikipedia only.


* Hesnault, François (F):
b. 30/12/1956 (Neuilly-sur-Seine)

1982 – French F3 (Martini Mk37-Alfa Romeo), 3rd, 112 pts;
24h Le Mans (Claude Haldi Porsche 935 K3, & C.Haldi, R.Terran), ret/141/differential;
1983 – French F3 (Dave Price Racing Ralt RT3-VW), 2nd, 121 pts;
European F3 (Dave Price Racing Ralt RT3-VW), 12th, 6 pts;
Monaco F3 (Dave Price Racing Ralt RT3-VW), 7th;
24h Le Mans (A.S. École Superieure de Tourisme-Chardonnet, & T.Perrier, B.Salam), ret/133/;
1984 – F1 (Ligier JS23-Renault):
Brazil 19th ret/25/overheating
South Africa 17th 10th
Belgium 23rd ret/15/radiator
San Marino 17th ret/0/collision
France DNS, gave his place at the grid to De Cesaris, due to the qualifying rules
Monaco 17th ret/12/electrical
Canada 13th ret/7/turbo
USA-Detroit 18th ret/3/accident
USA-Dallas 19th ret/0/accident
Britain 20th ret/43/electrical
Germany 17th 8th
Austria 21st 8th
Netherlands 20th 7th
Italy 18th ret/7/spun off
Europe 19th 10th
Portugal 21st ret/31/electrical;
NC Australian GP, ret;
1985 – F1 (Brabham BT54-BMW):
Brazil 17th ret/9/accident
Portugal 19th ret/3/electrical
San Marino 20th ret/5/engine
Monaco DNQ
Suffered a big accident while testing at Paul Ricard, and left the team.
(Renault RE60-Renault):
Germany 23rd ret/8/clutch

Edited by Mig007, 19 October 2011 - 17:48.

[RStock]

Did you not see his bio at F1rejects? Not sure you'll find much more that that.


http://www.f1rejects.../biography.html

[D-Type]

And on Where are they now? they have this to add about his post-F1 activities:

Still well, living in Switzerland. He has numerous business interests, alongside the family haulage business which he runs.

[Mig007]

I have used Wikipedia and F1Rejects as sources. I would like to know a little more of what had he done before 1982 and the team for which he raced on 1982

[RStock]

Grandprix.com has some info in their "encyclopedia". Perhaps it will give you some idea of where to look further.

Being born into a wealthy family is a very helpful thing for a young man who wants to be a racing driver. Francois Hesnault's desire to race, however, came relatively late. He grew up as the heir to a huge and well-connected transportation business with many important government contracts. After completing an expensive education Francois did his military service as an officer in a parachute regiment and even saw action in West Africa. It was only after that that Francois discovered a taste for speed.

He began racing in Formula Renault in France in 1980 and moved into Formula 3 in 1982. That year he won two races and finished third in the series. He then did a deal to drive for the championship-winning team which was being run by British entrant Dave Price. It was close-fought duel with Michel Ferte and in the end Hesnault lost out in the title race, despite five wins.

http://www.grandprix...drv-hesfra.html

[Mig007]

Thanks, I had forgotten this site

[philippe7]

I don't think he "runs" the family transit/haulage business.... it is his brother Philippe ( who incidentally also dabbled in car racing at national level - I think I remember him in hillclimbs in a F2 March of sorts ) who is CEO. But François might work in the family business, and in any case we shouldn't be too worried about his current standard of living ...

[Ralliart]

It's my impression that Hesnault raced with the first in-car camera, at least in F1, at the '84 German GP.

[funformula]

It's my impression that Hesnault raced with the first in-car camera, at least in F1, at the '84 German GP.

Wasn´t that Philippe Streiff in the third works Renault?

[Tim Murray]

Hesnault raced the Renault, fitted with a camera, in the 1985 (not 1984) German GP. The consensus in this earlier thread was that Streiff's Renault in his one-off drive for them in the 1984 Portuguese GP was not fitted with a camera.

Formula 1 "camera" cars

[KWSN - DSM]

Hesnault raced the Renault, fitted with a camera, in the 1985 (not 1984) German GP. The consensus in this earlier thread was that Streiff's Renault in his one-off drive for them in the 1984 Portuguese GP was not fitted with a camera.

Formula 1 "camera" cars

I think that I on this board have seen both a Reggazoni and a Stewart Camera car footage. Stewart both Monaco and Nurburgring. Or were those not during race weekends?

[Mig007]

* Hesnault, François (F):
b. 30/12/1956 (Neuilly-sur-Seine)

1980 – French F.Renault;
1981 – French F.Renault;
1982 – French F3 (UFO Racing Antar Martini Mk37-Alfa Romeo), 3rd, 112 pts, 2 wins;
24h Le Mans (Claude Haldi Porsche 935 K3, & C.Haldi, R.Terran), ret/141/differential;
1983 – French F3 (Dave Price Racing Ralt RT3-VW), 2nd, 121 pts, 5 wins;
European F3 (Dave Price Racing Ralt RT3-VW), 12th, 6 pts;
Monaco F3 (Dave Price Racing Ralt RT3-VW), 7th;
24h Le Mans (A.S. École Superieure de Tourisme-Chardonnet, & T.Perrier, B.Salam), ret/133/;
1984 – F1 (Ligier JS23-Renault):
Brazil 19th ret/25/overheating
South Africa 17th 10th
Belgium 23rd ret/15/radiator
San Marino 17th ret/0/collision
France DNS, gave his place at the grid to De Cesaris, due to the qualifying rules
Monaco 17th ret/12/electrical
Canada 13th ret/7/turbo
USA-Detroit 18th ret/3/accident
USA-Dallas 19th ret/0/accident
Britain 20th ret/43/electrical
Germany 17th 8th
Austria 21st 8th
Netherlands 20th 7th
Italy 18th ret/7/spun off
Europe 19th 10th
Portugal 21st ret/31/electrical;
NC Australian GP, ret;
1985 – F1 (Brabham BT54-BMW):
Brazil 17th ret/9/accident
Portugal 19th ret/3/electrical
San Marino 20th ret/5/engine
Monaco DNQ
Suffered a big accident while testing at Paul Ricard, and left the team.
(Renault RE60-Renault):
Germany 23rd ret/8/clutch


I've updated with the last things and I would like to ask if Hesnault ever raced in Karts before 1980 and if anyone has the correct lap and reason of his retirement at 1983 24h Le Mans.