Despite having access to the Renault EF4 Turbo, one of the best engines, and high-performance Michelin radial tires, in 1984 the Ligier JS23 ended the season with a meager total of 3 points. For this reason, the confirmation of the Renault Turbo engine supply (prepared by Mecachrome in a semi-official capacity) and the return of historic sponsor Gitanes were a breath of fresh air for Guy Ligier, who was coming off two poor seasons and eager to return to the heights of the early 1980s when his cars were Formula 1 frontrunners. Guy Ligier entrusted technical director Michel Beaujon, supported by designer Claude Galopin and aerodynamicist Henri Durand, with the development of the new Ligier JS25, which the Equipe Ligier Gitanes fielded for the 1985 season.
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| LIGIER JS25, Andrea de Cesaris Zandvoort, Dutch GP 1985 |
The new car featured an attractive design, with a pointed nose and long side pods that ended in the classic “coke bottle” taper. It was a solid and high-quality car using kevlar, a cutting-edge material, for the chassis, combined with the now-essential carbon fiber to improve stiffness and structural integrity. The wheelbase measured 2835 mm, the weight was at the 540 kg regulatory limit, and the car featured a modern push-rod suspension layout.
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| LIGIER JS25, Jacques Laffite Paul-Ricard, French GP 1985 |
This year, the French team could also count on the return of veteran driver Jacques Laffite, who came back after an underwhelming stint with Williams. However, they had to give up the high-performance Michelin tires due to the French company’s withdrawal from Formula 1. Not having been a Goodyear customer in 1984, the team was forced to use the less competitive Pirelli tires, though they suited the JS25 fairly well, allowing Laffite to achieve solid results, including three podium finishes and several points-scoring races.
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| LIGIER JS25, Andrea de Cesaris Zandvoort, Dutch GP 1985 |
What made the season turbulent for Guy Ligier were the other two drivers alongside Laffite. Italian Andrea de Cesaris, retained as the team's second driver for the first eleven races, saw the checkered flag only three times, racking up a series of spectacular crashes that earned him the English press’s sarcastic nickname “De Crasheris.” The most dramatic accident occurred during the Austrian Grand Prix, where his JS25 was completely destroyed after an incredible airborne flip across the circuit’s grassy borders. Ligier decided to drop him, considering the repair costs unsustainable, even though his salary was almost entirely covered by his personal sponsor, Marlboro. His replacement was up-and-coming Frenchman Philippe Streiff, who ended up causing an even bigger commotion. After three excellent races where he consistently outpaced team leader Laffite, Streiff found himself in second place behind his teammate in the season-ending Australian Grand Prix, with both holding the best team result of the year. On the final lap, Streiff, eager to showcase his skills, recklessly attempted to overtake Laffite, resulting in a collision that infuriated team owner Guy Ligier. Laffite managed to finish second despite a damaged car, while Streiff limped across the line on three wheels with a broken front suspension, barely staying ahead of Ivan Capelli’s Tyrrell, which was a lap down.
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| LIGIER JS25, Philippe Streiff Brands Hatch, European GP 1985 |
That reckless move cost Streiff his seat for the following season, as he was fired after the race. Despite the drama, 1985 was a marked improvement for Ligier compared to the previous years: the 23 points earned by the JS25 and the sixth place in the Constructors' Championship were still far from the team's glory days, but represented clear progress.
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