Paul Jeffrey
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RaceDepartment are sad to report the passing of former Williams, Ensign and RAM Formula One driver Patrick Nève today, who died at home aged just 68 years old.
Nève will forever hold the distinction of being the first ever driver of a Williams Grand Prix car when the affable Belgian made his debut for Williams Grand Prix Engineering at the 1977 Spanish Grand Prix. Nève would go on to compete a further ten times for the Williams squad, with a best result of 7th position at that years Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
Considered one of Formula One's up and coming talents in the mid 1970's, Patrick Nève took a while to break into the top echelon of the sport until his debut came behind the wheel of the uncompetitive RAM racing Brabham BT44B in 1976. Despite the BT44B having been competitive machinery in seasons past, the privately funded RAM team were unable to make the most of the machinery on offer and Nève would be destined to retire from his single outing for the team at the 1976 Belgian Grand Prix, a home event for the driver. Undeterred by his less than auspicious start to Grand Prix racing, Nève would once again find himself in a Formula One cockpit in '76, this time taking up the offer of a drive from Team Ensign three racers later, going on to secure 18th position at that years French Grand Prix.
1977 saw an upswing in fortunes for Nève when the Belgian rookie secured a partial season in Frank Williams new team Williams Grand Prix Engineering. Although both team and driver showed flashes of promise throughout the 11 race campaign, for Nève points would remain illusive to the young Belgian entrant.
With 1978 seeing a change of the driving strength at Williams, Nève found himself having to make way for the more experienced Alan Jones as he was quickly cast onto the Formula One sidelines. Displaying some of the tenacity that so characterised the drivers junior career, Patrick Nève did return to Formula One during his home event at Spa in a privately entered March during 1978, however he failed to qualify for the race and that was the end of his Formula One racing career.
After leaving Formula One behind Nève continued to race in the Belgian Touring Car Championship and at the Spa 24 Hours alongside appearances at select Le Mans 24 events. During the mid 1990s Patrick Neve Racing ran various competitive race cars whilst the former driver also ran a successful sports promotion agency in Brussels.
RaceDepartment wishes to offer it's condolences to all of Patrick's friends and family at this difficult time.
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