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Passing of Long-Time F1 Journalist Didier Braillon
French motorsport journalist Didier Braillon, a long-time Formula 1 specialist at L’Équipe who began his career at AUTOhebdo in 1977, died on Friday at the age of 75 following a prolonged illness caused by pancreatic cancer.
Early Career at AUTOhebdo
Braillon originally entered motorsport journalism at AUTOhebdo after being recruited by Étienne Moity, then editor-in-chief of the weekly publication, who cited Braillon's encyclopedic knowledge of Formula 1. The magazine was only one year old when Braillon joined its editorial office, having been launched in February 1976 by Michel Hommell. Working in the Formula 1 department alongside colleagues Éric Bhat and Patrick Camus, both of whom have also since died, Braillon covered the 1978 Grand Prix season before accepting an invitation to join Grand Prix International, a magazine founded in 1979 by Hommell.
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Larrousse Communications and Extended Tenure at L’Équipe
Following an interlude serving as communications officer for the Larrousse Formula 1 team, Braillon returned to journalism at AutoMag before taking part in the venture of daily sports newspaper Le Sport across 1987 and 1988. He subsequently experienced the brief history of weekly publication Course Auto, an offshoot of daily sports paper L’Équipe. Braillon went on to spend nearly 25 years at L’Équipe, leading its Formula 1 reporting while also making occasional editorial incursions into endurance racing and rallying.
Retirement and Continued Passion for Racing
In retirement, Braillon embraced the bohemian lifestyle he cherished by devoting his time to traveling alongside his wife, Judit. Fond of sunshine and fine sand, he spent a significant portion of his time settled between Malaga and Marbella. Although he had stepped away from attending Grand Prix paddocks for many years, his passion for Formula 1 persisted into his later years, and he enthusiastically followed the exploits of Kimi Antonelli prior to his death on Friday. Following his passing, AUTOhebdo offered its sincere condolences to his family and friends.
For background on the title contender mentioned in Braillon’s later racing interests, see Antonelli's Mexico City championship scenario.
Sources: Didier Braillon, ancien journaliste d’AUTOhebdo, nous a quittés.
