Ex-Auto Racer Pironi Dies in Boat Mishap

Former auto racer Didier Pironi, who quit the Formula One circuit after a serious accident in 1982, was one of three Frenchmen killed Sunday during an international powerboat race off the coast of southern England.

Pironi, 35, was at the wheel of his 40-foot boat, Colibri, when it overturned on the second lap of the 175-mile race around the Isle of Wight. Police said the Colibri capsized when it hit the wash of a passing oil tanker. Pironi’s boat was traveling at an estimated 115 m.p.h. when it crashed.

The other victims were identified by the race organizers as Bernard Giroux, a well-known motor racing commentator for French television, and Jean-Claude Guenard, the No. 2 driver in the boat.

Five years ago, Pironi was leading the Formula One standings after winning the San Marino and Dutch Grand Prix when he crashed during practice for the West German event at Hockenheim. After the accident, he underwent more than 30 operations on his legs.