Yannick was French Formule Renault champion in 1984 and landed a top drive in Formula Three for 1985 with the crack ORECA team, finishing second overall. In time-honoured fashion, he stayed on to become team leader and won the title in 1986. Formula 3000 was next and Yannick won twice, but poor results elsewere left him fifth overall. Before the year was out, however, he had his first taste of Formula One with the Larrousse Calmels team, scoring fifth place at his third attempt. However, he was adjudged not to have competed in enough grands prix to be eligible for points. Staying on with the team in 1988, he was not at his best, which he put down to ill health. Back with Larrousse in 1989, things were even worse and Yannick was forced out of the team to make way for Michele Alboreto. He picked up a ride with the tiny French AGS team, but often failed to make it through pre-qualifying. The 1990 season was only slightly better. Career salvation came with a drive in the Peugeot sports car team, and Yannick won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1992. Since 1993 it has been mainly a diet of touring cars for Yannick, but his trips to Le Mans have yielded three further wins - in 1994, 1995 and 1999.

Reproduced from The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Formula One published by Carlton Books