Ligier JS43

Ligier JS43

The JS43 of Olivier Panis on display at the Honda Collection Hall
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Ligier
Designer(s)	Frank Dernie (Technical Director) Paul Crooks (Chief Designer) Loic Bigois (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor	JS41
Successor	Prost JS45
Technical specifications
Chassis	carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)	pushrod
Suspension (rear)	pushrod
Engine	Mugen-Honda MF301HA 3.0-litre V10 (72°)
Transmission	Ligier six-speed transverse semi-automatic
Power	690 hp @ 13,700 rpm
Fuel	Elf
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Ligier Gauloises Blondes
Notable drivers	9. Olivier Panis 10. Pedro Diniz
Debut	1996 Australian Grand Prix
First win	1996 Monaco Grand Prix
Last win	1996 Monaco Grand Prix
Last event	1996 Japanese Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 16 1 1 0 0
Teams' Championships	0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The Ligier JS43 was the car with which the Ligier team competed in the 1996 Formula One World Championship. It was driven by Frenchman Olivier Panis, who was in his third season with the team, and Brazilian Pedro Diniz, who moved from Forti.

Overview

Background and design

The JS43 was an evolution of 1995's relatively successful JS41, designed by Frank Dernie. However, he, team manager Tony Dowe and majority owner Tom Walkinshaw left the team after ownership problems with Ligier founder Guy Ligier. This paved the way for Alain Prost to buy the team for 1997.

Season history

Despite these losses, the JS43 performed respectably all season, with both chassis and engine the subject of steady development. Despite season-long complaints about the car's braking performance, Panis took his first and only Grand Prix victory at Monaco, in a race where only three cars finished. It was also Ligier's first win since the 1981 Canadian Grand Prix.

Panis also finished sixth in Brazil and fifth in Hungary, to place ninth in the Drivers' Championship with 13 points. Diniz finished sixth in Spain and Italy, earning two points which placed him 15th in the Drivers' Championship. The Brazilian was also fortunate to escape a serious fire in Argentina.

With a total of 15 points, Ligier placed sixth in the Constructors' Championship.

Sponsorship and livery

The JS43 had a little lighter dark blue livery with a new major sponsor, Gauloises replacing its sister brand Gitanes. Ligier used 'Gauloises' logos, except at the French, British and German Grands Prix.

At the Australian Grand Prix, energy drink brand Power Horse featured on the air box.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Points	WCC
1996	Ligier	Mugen Honda V10	G		AUS	BRA	ARG	EUR	SMR	MON	ESP	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	JPN	15	6th
				Olivier Panis	7	6	8	Ret	Ret	1	Ret	Ret	7	Ret	7	5	Ret	Ret	10	7
				Pedro Diniz	10	8	Ret	10	7	Ret	6	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	6	Ret	Ret

References

• Henry, Alan, ed. (1996). AUTOCOURSE 1996-97. Hazleton Publishing. pp. 70–72. ISBN 1-874557-91-8.