Jean Ragnotti

Jean Ragnotti (Pernes-les-Fontaines, France, 29 August 1945) is a French rally and circuit racing driver, closely associated with Renault and regarded as one of the great tarmac specialists of the World Rally Championship (WRC) during the 1970s and 1980s. He began his motorsport career in the late 1960s competing in both rallies and circuit events, gaining recognition for his spectacular yet highly precise driving style on twisting mountain stages. His greatest international success came at the 1981 Rallye Automobile Monte‑Carlo, where he took victory at the wheel of the Renault 5 Turbo alongside co-driver Jean-Marc Andrié. This triumph was particularly significant as it was the first victory by a turbocharged car in the WRC, establishing the Renault 5 Turbo as one of the most iconic rally cars of the early 1980s. Ragnotti claimed two further world championship victories at the Tour de Corse, an event in which he excelled thanks to his skill on tarmac: in 1982 with the Renault 5 Turbo and in 1985 with the Renault 5 Maxi Turbo. These performances reinforced his reputation as one of the fastest drivers on tarmac rallies during the Group B era. Throughout his career he competed in numerous world championship rounds and national championships, becoming a very popular figure in French motorsport. After retiring from top-level competition, he remained connected to Renault by taking part in historic events, shows and demonstrations, where his name continues to be associated with some of the most iconic models in the brand's rally history.