Paris - (AFP) - Former French Formula One driver Patrick Tambay, who won two major prizes with Ferrari in the 1980s, has died at the age of 73, after a long illness, his family said Sunday.

Tambay, who was suffering from Parkinson's disease, defended the colors of several teams, most notably Theodore, McLaren and Renault as well.

However, his successes in the first category were achieved with Ferrari by winning two races, the first at the German Hockenheimring in 1982, and the second at the home circuit of the Italian hangar, Imola, the following year.

Tambay replaced his close friend, Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, who died after an accident during the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix trials, before Ferrari suffered a new setback several weeks later, with its second driver and then-leading Frenchman Didier Pironi having an accident in the German Grand Prix trials.

Tambay dedicated his victory in Hockenheim to the late Villeneuve, Pironi and Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the famous brand, to put his trust in him.

Tambay was the godfather of driver Gilles Villeneuve, son of Jacques, who won the world championship in 1997.

Paris-born Tambay began his Formula One career in 1997 at the British Grand Prix in the colors of the Hong Kong-based Theodore team.

He spent two years with McLaren without achieving any significant success, before leaving the tracks for a while, to return again with Theodore in 1981 and end the year with Ligier.

After his career with Ferrari, he moved to Renault, taking only three podium finishes in 1984 and 1985, and scoring two points with Lola-Haas in his final year in the top category (1986).

Tambay competed in 123 Grands Prix before retiring with a record that included five pole positions and a championship-best fourth-place finish in 1983.

After leaving Formula One, he turned to endurance racing, finishing third in the Dakar Rally in 1988 and 1989.
Known among his peers as the "Gentleman's Driver", he participated several times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race with a best fourth place finish in Jaguar colors in 1989.

He also achieved several successes in the American Can-Am sports car racing series, winning 12 races and the championship title two years in a row (1977 and 1978).

He maintained his relations with Formula One despite his retirement and worked as a commentator, and later moved to politics within the ranks of the conservative Republican Party.