Loïc Bigois
Encyclopedia
Loïc BigoisLoïc Bigois (born September 19, 1960 in Aix-en-Provence
, France
) is a Formula One
aerodynamicist.
After studying engineering in Paris
and Aix-en-Provence
, Bigois relocated to Toulouse
and began working in the aerospace
industry. He was recruited by the Ligier F1 team in 1990 and for several years moved between the mid-field teams. In the late 1990s he returned to Ligier and remained as Chief Designer through the transition to Prost Grand Prix
until the team finally closed down shortly before the start of the 2002 season.
After the failure of Prost
, Bigois moved to Minardi
where he stayed until 2003 when he was recruited by Williams as Chief Aerodynamicist, succeededing Antonia Terzi
. Bigois worked alongside Jörg Zander
who replaced Gavin Fisher
as Chief Designer in September 2005. Both Bigois and Zander worked under Technical Director Sam Michael
.
On 2 July 2007, it was announced that he had agreed to join the Honda Racing F1 team and as a result, was suspended by Williams.
In 2009, the team was reformed as Brawn GP
but Bigois continued in the role of Head of Aerodynamics. Brawn GP subsequently won both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships, leading to Bigois being awarded the Dino Toso Racecar Aerodynamicist of the Year Award.
Bigois is currently the Aerodynamics Director at Mercedes GP
which bought out Brawn GP
following their double championship winning season.
Aix-en-Provence
Aix , or Aix-en-Provence to distinguish it from other cities built over hot springs, is a city-commune in southern France, some north of Marseille. It is in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in the département of Bouches-du-Rhône, of which it is a subprefecture. The population of Aix is...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) is a Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
aerodynamicist.
After studying engineering in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence
Aix , or Aix-en-Provence to distinguish it from other cities built over hot springs, is a city-commune in southern France, some north of Marseille. It is in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in the département of Bouches-du-Rhône, of which it is a subprefecture. The population of Aix is...
, Bigois relocated to Toulouse
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
and began working in the aerospace
Aerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
industry. He was recruited by the Ligier F1 team in 1990 and for several years moved between the mid-field teams. In the late 1990s he returned to Ligier and remained as Chief Designer through the transition to Prost Grand Prix
Prost Grand Prix
Prost Grand Prix was a Formula One racing team managed by former world champion Alain Prost. The team participated in five seasons from 1997 to 2001.-Purchase of Ligier:...
until the team finally closed down shortly before the start of the 2002 season.
After the failure of Prost
Prost Grand Prix
Prost Grand Prix was a Formula One racing team managed by former world champion Alain Prost. The team participated in five seasons from 1997 to 2001.-Purchase of Ligier:...
, Bigois moved to Minardi
Minardi
Minardi was an automobile racing team and constructor founded in 1979 by Giancarlo Minardi. It competed in the Formula One World Championship from 1985 until 2005 with little success, nevertheless acquiring a loyal following of fans...
where he stayed until 2003 when he was recruited by Williams as Chief Aerodynamicist, succeededing Antonia Terzi
Antonia Terzi
Antonia Terzi is an Italian aerodynamicist who has worked for the Ferrari and Williams Formula One teams.Terzi worked in the design department at Ferrari under Rory Byrne until 2002 when she was recruited by Williams to become the team's chief aerodynamicist...
. Bigois worked alongside Jörg Zander
Jörg Zander
Jörg Zander is a German Formula One car chief designer.Zander graduated from Cologne University in 1990 before joining Toyota...
who replaced Gavin Fisher
Gavin Fisher
Gavin Fisher was formerly Chief Designer of the Williams Formula One team. He studied mechanical engineering at Hatfield Polytechnic, which was famous for its aeronautical engineers, graduating with a first class honors degree. He was hired by Williams through an add in the media in 1988...
as Chief Designer in September 2005. Both Bigois and Zander worked under Technical Director Sam Michael
Sam Michael
Samuel David "Sam" Michael is technical director of WilliamsF1, a Formula One constructor. He was born in Western Australia and grew up in Canberra. After studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of New South Wales with a thesis on data acquisition systems for racing cars, he worked with...
.
On 2 July 2007, it was announced that he had agreed to join the Honda Racing F1 team and as a result, was suspended by Williams.
In 2009, the team was reformed as Brawn GP
Brawn GP
Brawn GP Formula One Team, the trading name of Brawn GP Limited, was a Formula One motor racing team and constructor, created by a management buyout of Honda Racing F1 Team. It only competed in the 2009 Formula One World Championship, with drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. The team...
but Bigois continued in the role of Head of Aerodynamics. Brawn GP subsequently won both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships, leading to Bigois being awarded the Dino Toso Racecar Aerodynamicist of the Year Award.
Bigois is currently the Aerodynamics Director at Mercedes GP
Mercedes GP
Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team, the trading name of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited, is a British-based Formula One racing team and constructor, owned by Mercedes-Benz and racing under a German licence since the 2010 season....
which bought out Brawn GP
Brawn GP
Brawn GP Formula One Team, the trading name of Brawn GP Limited, was a Formula One motor racing team and constructor, created by a management buyout of Honda Racing F1 Team. It only competed in the 2009 Formula One World Championship, with drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. The team...
following their double championship winning season.