A salute on this day to the late Patrick Tambay

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There's an old belief in motor racing that nice guys don't win races, but the late Patrick Tambay, born on this day in 1949, is among those who belied that rule.

The Frenchman kicked off his F1 career in 1977 with Teddy Yip's Theodore Racing Ensign team.

Tambay's presence among motorsport's elite spanned a decade as he raced for McLaren, Ligier, Ferrari, Renault and Haas.

Known for his smooth driving style, he enjoyed his glory days in the sport with the Scuderia which he joined in 1982 following the death of his good friend Gilles Villeneuve, winning twice with the Italian outfit.

Sadly, we lost Patrick last December to Parkinson's disease, but his legacy as a skilled driver and his enduring passion for motorsports have made him a cherished figure in the history of Formula 1.