Ligier JS39

The Ligier JS39 was a Formula One car used by the Ligier team during the 1993 and 1994 Formula One seasons. First raced in the 1993 South African Grand Prix where, driven by Briton Mark Blundell, it finished third, the JS39's best finish was a second place achieved by Frenchman Olivier Panis at the 1994 German Grand Prix.

Ligier JS39
Ligier JS39B

Martin Brundle practicing for the 1993 British Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Ligier
Designer(s)	Gérard Ducarouge (Technical Director) Paul Crooks (Chief Designer) Loic Bigois (Chief Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor	JS37
Successor	JS41
Technical specifications
Chassis	carbon fibre monocoque
Axle track	Front: 1,690 mm (67 in) Rear: 1,600 mm (63 in)
Wheelbase	2,995 mm (117.9 in)
Engine	Renault RS5/6, 3,493 cc (213.2 cu in), V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission	Williams Semi-automatic 6-speed
Weight	505 kg (1,113 lb)
Fuel	Elf
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Ligier Gitanes Blondes
Notable drivers	25. Martin Brundle 26. Mark Blundell 25. Éric Bernard 25. Johnny Herbert 25. Franck Lagorce 26. Olivier Panis
Debut	1993 South African Grand Prix
Last event	1994 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 32 0 5 0 0

Ligier JS39

The engine was the Renault RS5 3.5 V10.

The number 25 chassis was driven by experienced Briton Martin Brundle and the number 26 driven by Mark Blundell. The team did not employ a test driver. The team used a semi-automatic gearbox for the first time, but retained passive suspension. The car was relatively successful for the team, achieving 3 podium finishes, and 23 constructor points. For much of the season, the team stood in fourth place in the constructors' championship, only being overtaken by Ferrari with two races remaining. However, their fifth place in the championship was still their best championship finish since 1986, when they also finished in fifth.

Ligier JS39B

Éric Bernard at the 1994 British Grand Prix with the JS39B.

For 1994, the car was upgraded to 'B' specification. The number 26 seat was occupied by Olivier Panis for the whole year, however, the number 25 seat was taken by Éric Bernard, Johnny Herbert and Franck Lagorce. The team's test driver was Lagorce. The engine was a Renault RS6 3.5 V10. The car did not perform as well as in 1993 but was reliable, enabling Panis and Bernard to finish 2nd and 3rd respectively in the German Grand Prix. The team scored only two other points finishes for the rest of the season.

The JS39B was also tested by Michael Schumacher at Estoril in December 1994, at the request of Flavio Briatore, who became the owner of the Ligier team, after the team was purchased by Tom Walkinshaw and Briatore in 1994.

Sponsorship and livery

Livery changes for the JS39 are minor, the large horizontal white stripes from the previous season were replaced with a white horizontal dash graphics on the side of the car. In the Grands Prix that did not allow tobacco branding, the Gitanes badges were replaced with a 'gypsy women' logo. At French, it was completely removed.

One of the notable sponsors was Les Pages Jaunes. The following season, it was missing.

At the 1993 Japanese and Australian Grands Prix, Brundle's car was painted with a special artwork livery done by Hugo Pratt.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Chassis	Engine(s)	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Points	WCC
1993	JS39	Renault V10	G		RSA	BRA	EUR	SMR	ESP	MON	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	JPN	AUS	23	5th
				Martin Brundle	Ret	Ret	Ret	3	Ret	6	5	5	14	8	5	7	Ret	6	9	6
				Mark Blundell	3	5	Ret	Ret	7	Ret	Ret	Ret	7	3	7	11	Ret	Ret	7	9
1994	JS39B	Renault V10	G		BRA	PAC	SMR	MON	ESP	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	EUR	JPN	AUS	13	6th
				Éric Bernard	Ret	10	12	Ret	8	13	Ret	13	3	10	10	7	10
				Johnny Herbert														8
				Franck Lagorce															Ret	11
				Olivier Panis	11	9	11	9	7	12	Ret	12	2	6	7	10	DSQ	9	11	5

References

• Technical specifications