14 replies to this topic

[ehagar]

I was wondering, he is a 4 time Le-Mans winner, won Formula Renault, won French F-3, was considered the next Alain Prost by some. But all that came was drives with Larousse and AGS. Then came the deadly bout with Legionnaires' disease.

Was he really as bad as some say during his time in F-1? Or was he one of those mysterious failures?

[Zawed]

He was a bit of a bright spark in the late 80s I gather, but he was'nt quite the same after his bout with legionnaires disease, although he did'nt really get his break in F1. In 94 he did a couple of races, but only qualified in 22nd/23rd place. I think his Le Mans success came after his time in F1. He was more one of those mystrious failures, I guess...

[MattFoster]

He definitely falls into the unlucky camp. I believe that the legionnaires illness took the edge off him. His races before hand showed glimses of talent.

[LittleChris]

I seem to remember that he had a big accident in F3000 at Vallelunga and he seemed less committed after that.

[subh]

Those glimpses have to include his run to fifth in the 1987 Australian GP, his third F1 race and in a non-turbo car; and he was also the 11th fastest driver in the race.

However, I have revived this thread with curiosity about his 1994 season in French Touring Cars. Follow the link and you’ll see that Dalmas had win-second-second-win-third at the start of the season, and was surely leading the series at that stage. After that it looks like his lost his way a bit, or his Peugeot 405Mi16 was off the pace, as he dropped to fourth overall - even with another win at the end. Can anyone shed light on what transpired?

http://forums.autosp...&threadid=97822

[Richard Jenkins]

Going back to the original question - I think it was a combination of illness, a struggle to adapt to the changes in the car during his absence, not quite having the machinery available at the right time, but ultimately, his illness probably made him appreciate more his life outside racing more, and that F1 wasn't the be-all & end-all. Remember racing was still dangerous then, as we saw with poor Phillippe Streiff.

I think that's why he retired from racing sportscars so suddenly - after the death of Alboreto, particulary, I think he felt the risks weren't worth it, ultimately, and now he spends a lot of time tutoring & involved with the media, as well as business links in France & Spain.

[COUGAR508]

I recall that for a time in 1987/88, Dalmas was hyped as "the new Prost", and he seemed to have a bright future. There is no doubt that the illness severely hampered his F1 prospects just as he was looking to spread his wings and look to join one of the better teams. Happily, he had a fabulous career in sportscars.

[Mallory Dan]

I recall a certain, very good, MN Journo said that the French experts of the time considered Dalmas the next big thing post Prost ... "the greatest thing since the sliced baguette". Tickled me then, still does today that phrase!!

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by MattFoster
He definitely falls into the unlucky camp. I believe that the legionnaires illness took the edge off him. His races before hand showed glimses of talent.

From a medical perspective, read here. Especially the "prognosis" section...

http://www.legionell...eneral_info.htm

[flat-16]

I still have my programme somewhere from the 1990 F3000 round at Brands, where Dalmas' rather fine looking bright orange car was on the front cover. Dalmas certainly was tipped for big things, it's a shame to think he didn't get the chance due to ill health.


Justin

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by Hieronymus


From a medical perspective, read here. Especially the "prognosis" section...

http://www.legionell...eneral_info.htm

Interesting - are you suggesting that perhaps if Yannick didn't try to come back quite as quickly he might've been more able to operate at the mental level required of a top driver?

He certainly did look to be the pick of the crop of French drivers of that generation, but I think there's a more general question of why so many French 'comingmen' never quite got there - thinking of the last couple of decades there've been Bernard, Helary, Ayari, Sarrazin, Bouillon, Lagorce... many of them tipped to go right to the top and most of them not really getting anywhere near in single seaters. I'm still waiting for Premat or Lapierre to fulfil their promise but the pipeline of Elf or Government (lottery/ciggie/ministry of truth, justice, peace, love, sport, culture and youth) money seems to have dried up!

(Er, oh yeah, and there was Olivier Grouillard and the trail of graunched carbon-fibre behind him. Wild eyes. Wild hair. Wild driver. Incredibly cute girlfriend, almost on a par with Stefano Modena's Mrs in the 'easy on the eye' stakes).

There are some great French drivers around now, but they're tending to ply their trade in sports cars. As well as the Peugeot boys, Minassian and Dumas are world-class in endurance racing, or example.

Let's hope Bourdais puts the tricoleur back where it belongs.

[Hieronymus]

Yes, I think time was the factor here. You need time to recover from an illness like Legionnaires and unfortunately most sportsmen do not have "free" time on their side.

Another Frenchman that lost out was Michel Trolle.

[fines]

Originally posted by petefenelon
Incredibly cute girlfriend, almost on a par with Stefano Modena's Mrs in the 'easy on the eye' stakes).

Ehem...

You know I'm a stickler for historical accuracy and preservation of facts, do you perhaps have pictures to prove your statement(s)?

[philippe7]

Originally posted by Hieronymus
Another Frenchman that lost out was Michel Trolle.

Wasn't that a consequence of a very bad crash at Brand's Hatch in F3000 in which he suffered severe leg injuries ?

[COUGAR508]

Originally posted by philippe7


Wasn't that a consequence of a very bad crash at Brand's Hatch in F3000 in which he suffered severe leg injuries ?

Wasn't that in practice in 1988, the day before Herbert had his terrible crash?

That whole generation of French drivers, from 1986-1991, never quite made it in F1 terms. I remember in 1989 that most pundits thought that Eric Bernard had the greatest ultimate potential. Eric did produce some good drives for Larrousse, but he had a big shunt at Suzuka in 1991, and his F1 career never recovered.

Others from that generation included Cheli, Aeillo, and Comas.