After Jean-Pierre Jabouille’s stint as technical director and designer of the innovative but troubled JS19 in 1982, Guy Ligier decided to part ways with the former driver-engineer. For the 1983 season, he appointed Claude Galopin as technical director, working alongside longtime designer Michel Beaujon and aerodynamicist Henri Durand.
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| LIGIER JS21, Jean-Pierre Jarier Brands Hatch, European GP 1983 |
Their technical choices were radically different from the previous year’s: the new car was minimalist and featured no sidepods, reflecting a step back in both design and ambition. With Matra exiting Formula 1, Ligier lost its engine supplier and had to revert to the outdated and uncompetitive naturally aspirated Ford-Cosworth DFV V8.
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| LIGIER JS21, Raul Boesel Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1983 |
The transmission setup followed suit, with the tried-and-tested Hewland FGA400 gearbox replacing the previously modified in-house unit used in the JS19.
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| LIGIER JS21, Jean-Pierre Jarier Imola, San Marino GP 1983 |
Thus, the Ligier JS21 was born for the 1983 season, built with an aluminum monocoque chassis, lacking innovations such as carbon fiber, which was now commonly used to stiffen the chassis and reduce weight. With a wheelbase of 2565 mm, a weight of 595 kg, and Michelin tires, the JS21 featured an unusual design with no sidepods, its radiators were exposed in front of the rear wheels.
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| LIGIER JS21, Jean-Pierre Jarier Zandvoort, Dutch GP 1983 |
Considering the loss of financial backing from Talbot, the departure of veteran driver Jacques Laffite to Williams, and the hiring of a past-his-prime Jean-Pierre Jarier and pay driver Raul Boesel, it was clear Ligier had become a backmarker team. The results confirmed this: the team scored no points throughout the season, with Jarier’s seventh place at the Austrian GP in Zeltweg as their best result.
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