Patrick Gaillard

Who is Patrick Gaillard?

Patrick Gaillard is a former racing driver from France. He participated in 5 World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on July 1, 1979. He scored no championship points.

After performing well in French Formula Renault and Formula 3, Gaillard moved into Formula 2 in 1979, the same year as he drove for Ensign in Formula 1. The Ensign N179 was not a good car and Gaillard struggled on occasions, failing to qualify three times out of five, before being dropped in favour of Marc Surer.

In 1980 Gaillard returned to Ensign for the Spanish Grand Prix and finished in a points-paying 6th place—the last of 6 cars still running at the finish, 5 laps down. However, the result did not count as this race was subsequently downgraded to non-Championship status due to the FISA-FOCA war, making Gaillard's only point nullified.

Thereafter he drove in Formula 2, CanAm, and sports cars including the 24 Hours of Le Mans before retiring. He later became a racing instructor.