29th january 2012

François Migault died on 29th January aged 67 from cancer. The driver from Le Mans raced in 13 F1 Grand Prix and 24 times in the Le Mans 24 Hours (out of 27 attempts). He was one of the leading French drivers in the 70s.

He was the first winner of the ACO driving school award in 1968, and made his debut in Formula France the following year in an Alpine. After two seasons in F3 with a victory at Nogaro and two fourth places in the French Championship, he scored good results in F2 and the 2-litre sports category after which he joined Charles Pozzi’s squad in 1972. At the wheel of the French Ferrari importer’s Daytona he finished second in the Tour Auto behind his team-mate, Andruet. The following year he came second in the Daytona 24 Hours (1st in GT) in the NART colours. He had a difficult debut in F1 in the outclassed Connew (Austria 1972), and returned to F2 with the Pygmée squad. In 1974 he became part of the BRM team with Beltoise and Pescarolo.

After coming fourth at Le Mans in 1974, Migault decided to concentrate on endurance, and changed from Ligier to Mirage in which he scored the best result of his career in the Sarthe: second in 1976 with Jean-Louis Lafosse. He drove for Alain de Cadenet and then joined the Rondeau team in 1981 coming third. The following year he did the Sports Prototype World Championship. He continued to race in the 24 Hours till 2002 but with less success. Migault also competed in IMSA, and three times in the Paris-Dakar in a Mercedes.

A more detailed account of his career will be given in Le Mans Racing no.73, which will be published at the end of March. 
The editorial staff would like to present its condolences to his family and friends.

Text: François Hurel – Photo: DPPI