French F1 driver Beltoise dies at 77

05 January 2015 02:16

Former Formula One driver Jean-Pierre Beltoise, whose biggest win came at the 1972 Monaco Grand Prix, has died from a stroke in Dakar at the age of 77, family sources said on Monday

After a successful career in motorbike racing, Frenchman Beltoise switched to four wheels in 1966, eventually joining Ken Tyrrell's Matra team alongside Jackie Stewart.

He took second place at the 1969 French Grand Prix, but had to wait three years to win his first Grand Prix under the rain at Monaco after his change to the BRM team.

He retired from Formula 1 at the end of the 1974 season, turning his attention to touring car racing in France.

He twice won the French title for BMW before entering rallycross in an Alpine-Renault with which he won another French title.

Source: AFP