Didier Joseph Louis Pironi 26 March 1952 23 August 1987 was a French racing driver During his career he competed in 72 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix driving for Tyrrell 19781979 Ligier 1980 and Ferrari 19811982 his F1 career ending after a practice crash at the 1982 German Grand Prix He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978 driving a Renault Alpine A442B