Former Formula 1 driver and one-time podium finisher Philippe Streiff has passed away aged 67. Frenchman Streiff was a veteran of 53 Grand Prix starts between 1984 and 1988, racing for the likes of Renault, Ligier and Tyrrell. He claimed his only podium finish with third place in the Ligier in the 1985 Australian Grand Prix – the first time F1 had ever held a World Championship race in the country – on the streets of Adelaide. He also scored points on a further four occasions, with fourth at the 1987 German Grand Prix the standout result. A capable race winner in Formula 2 machinery, Streiff was also part of the 1981 Jean Readeau team which claimed second overall at the Le Mans 24 Hours, alongside Jacky Haran and Jean-Louis Schlesser, with the trio picking up the GTP class win. However, Streiff's career was cut short before the 1989 F1 season with a crash before the season-opener at Brazil's Jacarepagua circuit. Strieff was left paraplegic and in a wheelchair for the rest of his life following the accident. He remained a presence in motorsport, organising the Masters karting event in Paris. The likes of Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Mario Andretti, Alain Prost and Fernando Alonso all took part in the Bercy-held event.
Most read
