Ligier JS41

The Ligier JS41 was a Formula One car designed by Frank Dernie for use by the Ligier team in the 1995 Formula One World Championship. The car was powered by the 3-litre Mugen-Honda MF-301 V10 engine. The number 26 car was driven by Frenchman Olivier Panis while, at the insistence of Mugen, the number 25 car was shared between Briton Martin Brundle and Japan's Aguri Suzuki. Another Frenchman, Franck Lagorce, served as the team's test driver.

Ligier JS41

Martin Brundle driving the JS41 at the 1995 British Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Ligier
Designer(s)	Frank Dernie (Technical Director) Loic Bigois (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor	JS39
Successor	JS43
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon fibre and Kevlar monocoque
Suspension (front)	Double wishbone, pushrod
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbone, pushrod
Engine	Mugen Honda MF-301H, 2,998 cc (182.9 cu in), 72° V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted
Transmission	Benetton transverse 6-speed semi-automatic
Power	670 hp @ 13,500 rpm
Fuel	Elf
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Ligier Gitanes Blondes
Notable drivers	25. Aguri Suzuki 25. Martin Brundle 26. Olivier Panis
Debut	1995 Brazilian Grand Prix
Last event	1995 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 17 0 2 0 0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

Design-wise, the JS41 bore a striking resemblance to the Benetton B195. At the start of 1995, Ligier was part-owned by Benetton's director, Flavio Briatore. Briatore transferred the Renault engines Ligier had used for the previous three years to Benetton, in turn convincing Mugen to supply Ligier instead of Minardi. During the season, Briatore sold his shares in Ligier to Tom Walkinshaw, Benetton's engineering director. As a result, the JS41 was one of the most competitive Ligiers in years which allowed Brundle and Panis to regularly fight for points in races.

Sponsorship and livery

The JS41 sporting a new dark blue colour instead of light shade blue. Gitanes was still the team's main sponsor. At the British and German Grands Prix, the Gitanes text were replaced with a barcode. At the French Grand Prix, the 'gypsy woman' logo was replaced with a man and a French flag alongside with "Ligier".

Later use

A JS41 was later bought by Bridgestone to test the Japanese company's tyres prior to its entry into Formula One in 1997.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Pts.	WCC
1995	Ligier Gitanes Blondes	Mugen Honda MF-301h V10	G		BRA	ARG	SMR	ESP	MON	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	EUR	PAC	JPN	AUS	24	5th
				Aguri Suzuki	8	Ret	11						6						Ret	DNS
				Martin Brundle				9	Ret	10*	4	Ret		Ret	3	Ret	8	7			Ret
				Olivier Panis	Ret	7	9	6	Ret	4	8	4	Ret	6	9	Ret	Ret	Ret	8	5	2