h2>Early Years and Beginnings in Racing
Bertrand Gachot, born on 23 December 1962 in Luxembourg, embarked on his racing journey at the age of 15 with a passion for karting. His early career was marked by significant achievements in junior formulae. After attending the Winfield School in 1983, where he competed against future F1 drivers like Damon Hill and Jean Alesi, Gachot focused solely on his racing career, dropping out of university. He quickly made a name for himself in Formula Ford, finishing third at the Formula Ford Festival in 1984 and winning the European series in 1985 with Pacific Racing. His success continued in Formula Ford 2000, where he had a notable rivalry with Mark Blundell, ultimately winning the British series in 1986. Gachot’s ascent in motorsports was rapid, finishing second in the British Formula Three series in 1987 and moving up to Formula 3000 in 1988, where he achieved considerable success, including a pole position at Silverstone.
Major Successes and Highlights
Bertrand Gachot’s Formula One career began in 1989 with the Onyx team, showcasing his potential despite the team’s challenges. His F1 career, spanning from 1989 to 1995, included stints with teams like Onyx, Rial, Coloni, Jordan, Lola, Larrousse, and Pacific, with a total of 84 entries and 47 starts. Although he didn’t secure any wins or podiums in F1, Gachot earned a total of 5 career points and achieved one fastest lap. His most notable success came outside of F1, winning the prestigious 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans with Mazda. However, his F1 career faced a significant setback in 1991 due to an 18-month prison sentence for aggravated assault, leading to his temporary absence from the sport.
Life and Legacy After Racing
Post-retirement from active racing, Bertrand Gachot transitioned into business, notably with Hype Energy Drinks. He began his association with Hype Energy in 1997, eventually taking a leadership role and expanding the brand globally. Gachot’s involvement in motorsports continued through sponsorships, including a deal with the Force India F1 Team, previously Jordan F1, for whom he had raced. He also owns F1i.com, a Formula 1 news site. Gachot’s life after racing reflects his versatility and entrepreneurial spirit, leveraging his experience and network in the racing world to succeed in business ventures.
Career Stats
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | WDC Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Moneytron Onyx Formula One / Rial Racing | Onyx ORE-1 / Rial ARC2 | Ford DFR 3.5 V8 | NC | 0 |
| 1990 | Subaru Coloni Racing / Coloni Racing Srl | Coloni C3B / Coloni C3C | Subaru 1235 F12 / Ford DFR 3.5 V8 | NC | 0 |
| 1991 | Team 7UP Jordan / Larrousse F1 | Jordan 191 / Lola LC91 | Ford HB4 3.5 V8 / Ford DFR 3.5 V8 | 13th | 4 |
| 1992 | Central Park Venturi Larrousse | Venturi Larrousse LC92 | Lamborghini 3512 3.5 V12 | 19th | 1 |
| 1994 | Pacific Grand Prix Ltd | Pacific PR01 | Ilmor 2175A 3.5 V10 | NC | 0 |
| 1995 | Pacific Team Lotus | Pacific PR02 | Ford EDC 3.0 V8 | NC | 0 |