Ligier JS39

(Redirected from Ligier JS39B)

The Ligier JS39 was a Formula One car used by the Ligier team during the 1993 and 1994 Formula One seasons. First raced in the 1993 South African Grand Prix where, driven by Briton Mark Blundell, it finished third, the JS39's best finish was a second place achieved by Frenchman Olivier Panis at the 1994 German Grand Prix.

Ligier JS39
Ligier JS39B
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorLigier
Designer(s)Gérard Ducarouge (Technical Director)
Paul Crooks (Chief Designer)
Loic Bigois (Chief Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorJS37
SuccessorJS41
Technical specifications
Chassiscarbon fibre monocoque
Axle trackFront: 1,690 mm (67 in)
Rear: 1,600 mm (63 in)
Wheelbase2,995 mm (117.9 in)
EngineRenault RS5/6, 3,493 cc (213.2 cu in), V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionWilliams Semi-automatic 6-speed
Weight505 kg (1,113 lb)
FuelElf
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsLigier Gitanes Blondes
Notable drivers25. United Kingdom Martin Brundle
26. United Kingdom Mark Blundell
25. France Éric Bernard
25. United Kingdom Johnny Herbert
25. France Franck Lagorce
26. France Olivier Panis
Debut1993 South African Grand Prix
Last event1994 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
320500

Ligier JS39

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The engine was the Renault RS5 3.5 V10.

The number 25 chassis was driven by experienced Briton Martin Brundle and the number 26 driven by Mark Blundell. The team did not employ a test driver. The team used a semi-automatic gearbox for the first time, but retained passive suspension. The car was relatively successful for the team, achieving 3 podium finishes, and 23 constructor points. For much of the season, the team stood in fourth place in the constructors' championship, only being overtaken by Ferrari with two races remaining. However, their fifth place in the championship was still their best championship finish since 1986, when they also finished in fifth.

Ligier JS39B

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Éric Bernard at the 1994 British Grand Prix with the JS39B.

For 1994, the car was upgraded to 'B' specification. The number 26 seat was occupied by Olivier Panis for the whole year, however, the number 25 seat was taken by Éric Bernard, Johnny Herbert and Franck Lagorce. The team's test driver was Lagorce. The engine was a Renault RS6 3.5 V10. The car did not perform as well as in 1993 but was reliable, enabling Panis and Bernard to finish 2nd and 3rd respectively in the German Grand Prix. The team scored only two other points finishes for the rest of the season.

The JS39B was also tested by Michael Schumacher at Estoril in December 1994, at the request of Flavio Briatore, who became the owner of the Ligier team, after the team was purchased by Tom Walkinshaw and Briatore in 1994.[1]

Sponsorship and livery

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Livery changes for the JS39 are minor, the large horizontal white stripes from the previous season were replaced with a white horizontal dash graphics on the side of the car. In the Grands Prix that did not allow tobacco branding, the Gitanes badges were replaced with a 'gypsy women' logo. At French, it was completely removed.

One of the notable sponsors was Les Pages Jaunes. The following season, it was missing.

At the 1993 Japanese and Australian Grands Prix, Brundle's car was painted with a special artwork livery done by Hugo Pratt.

Complete Formula One results

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(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Chassis Engine(s) Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1993 JS39 Renault V10 G RSA BRA EUR SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR JPN AUS 23 5th
Martin Brundle Ret Ret Ret 3 Ret 6 5 5 14 8 5 7 Ret 6 9 6
Mark Blundell 3 5 Ret Ret 7 Ret Ret Ret 7 3 7 11 Ret Ret 7 9
1994 JS39B Renault V10 G BRA PAC SMR MON ESP CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR EUR JPN AUS 13 6th
Éric Bernard Ret 10 12 Ret 8 13 Ret 13 3 10 10 7 10
Johnny Herbert 8
Franck Lagorce Ret 11
Olivier Panis 11 9 11 9 7 12 Ret 12 2 6 7 10 DSQ 9 11 5

References

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  1. ^ "Michael Schumacher Ligier JS39B Test Estoril Formula 1 1994 1/43". www.michaelschumachershop.com. Retrieved 3 August 2020.