FAREWELL, PATRICK TAMBAY

We are sad to learn that Patrick Tambay has died after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. A true friend of Evro Publishing, he put his time as a Ferrari Formula 1 driver on record in the book 27: Patrick Tambay – The Ferrari Years, which we were privileged to publish in 2016.

He was so committed to making the book a success that he threw himself into promoting it, from talks to groups of Ferrari enthusiasts at UK dealerships to a special function in Maranello attended by Piero Ferrari. Besides collaborating with Massimo Burbi, his Italian co-author, he wanted the book to include the very best photos and a tie-up with Paul-Henri Cahier, son of the legendary Bernard, was the result.

In the book Patrick told the emotional story of his rollercoaster Formula 1 ride with Ferrari. It began in 1982 with the tragedy of his friend and fellow driver Gilles Villeneuve’s death in the Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder and unfolded as Patrick took Gilles’s place in car number 27, achieved race victories and, as the 1983 season developed, fought for the World Championship. Told in 27 chapters, the book also gave a rare and revealing account of life inside Maranello in the twilight of the Enzo Ferrari era.

Patrick’s book went down well with reviewers. Simon Arron of Motor Sport magazine noted: “The thoughts of an intelligent, articulate racer were always likely to translate into a worthwhile read – and so it proves.”

“The time I spent with Patrick was always fun,” recalls Eric Verdon-Roe, Evro’s Chairman. “His humour and humanity were never overwhelmed by his illness as far as I could see. A great man and a great loss.”

Patrick was always happy to sign copies of his book and we have a handful still available, in ‘standard’ form (£75) or leather-bound (£225) from the limited edition of 27 copies.