Ligier JS41

Ligier JS41
Martin Brundle driving the JS41 at the 1995 British Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorLigier
Designer(s)Frank Dernie (Technical Director)
Loic Bigois (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorJS39
SuccessorJS43
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon fibre and Kevlar monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbone, pushrod
Suspension (rear)Double wishbone, pushrod
EngineMugen Honda MF-301H, 2,998 cc (182.9 cu in), 72° V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted
TransmissionBenetton transverse 6-speed semi-automatic
Power670 hp @ 13,500 rpm[2]
FuelElf
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsLigier Gitanes Blondes
Notable drivers25. Japan Aguri Suzuki
25. United Kingdom Martin Brundle
26. France Olivier Panis
Debut1995 Brazilian Grand Prix
Last event1995 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
170200
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Ligier JS41 was a Formula One car designed by Frank Dernie for use by the Ligier team in the 1995 Formula One World Championship. The car was powered by the 3-litre Mugen-Honda MF-301 V10 engine. The number 26 car was driven by Frenchman Olivier Panis while, at the insistence of Mugen, the number 25 car was shared between Briton Martin Brundle and Japan's Aguri Suzuki. Another Frenchman, Franck Lagorce, served as the team's test driver.

Design-wise, the JS41 bore a striking resemblance to the Benetton B195. At the start of 1995, Ligier was part-owned by Benetton's director, Flavio Briatore. Briatore transferred the Renault engines Ligier had used for the previous three years to Benetton, in turn convincing Mugen to supply Ligier instead of Minardi. During the season, Briatore sold his shares in Ligier to Tom Walkinshaw, Benetton's engineering director. As a result, the JS41 was one of the most competitive Ligiers in years which allowed Brundle and Panis to regularly fight for points in races.

Sponsorship and livery

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The JS41 sporting a new dark blue colour instead of light shade blue. Gitanes was still the team's main sponsor. At the British and German Grands Prix, the Gitanes text were replaced with a barcode. At the French Grand Prix, the 'gypsy woman' logo was replaced with a man and a French flag alongside with "Ligier".

Later use

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A JS41 was later bought by Bridgestone to test the Japanese company's tyres prior to its entry into Formula One in 1997.

Complete Formula One results

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(key)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Pts. WCC
1995 Ligier Gitanes Blondes Mugen Honda MF-301h
V10
G BRA ARG SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR EUR PAC JPN AUS 24 5th
Aguri Suzuki 8 Ret 11 6 Ret DNS
Martin Brundle 9 Ret 10* 4 Ret Ret 3 Ret 8 7 Ret
Olivier Panis Ret 7 9 6 Ret 4 8 4 Ret 6 9 Ret Ret Ret 8 5 2

References

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  1. ^ "Ligier JS41". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Engine Mugen Honda". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 26 November 2020.