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The forever young Jacques Laffite turns 81 today, but the years haven't aged this pure racer's very big heart.
A veteran of 176 Grands Prix, 'Jacquot' made his F1 debut in 1974 at the German Grand Prix with Frank Williams and an Iso-Marlboro. But the Frenchman won all of his six victories in F1 between 1977 and 1981 exclusively with Ligier.
Laffite is seen here above at the 1979 Canadian Grand Prix with famed Ligier technical director Gérard Ducarouge.
A lively, light-hearted character, Laffite has always worked hard at making life one long holiday for himself, with as much racing as possible, as a participant and later on as a TV commentator - a role his daughter Margot has since embraced for French broadcaster Canal Plus.
