Chassis 01 was written off due to the extensive front-end damage caused by Jacques Laffite's career-ending accident at the British Grand Prix.

At Detroit, Laffite led the race and eventually finishing second, whilst Arnoux was on course for second place until he crashed.

By the time of the British Grand Prix, Ligier were fourth in the Constructors' Championship, behind Williams, McLaren and Lotus, but ahead of Ferrari.

Due to Laffite's accident and a concurrent lack of development on the chassis, the JS27 was less competitive in the second half of the season.

Arnoux and substitute driver Philippe Alliot could only score four points from the German Grand Prix onwards, but this was enough to secure fifth in the Constructors' Championship - the highest-placed team using Pirelli tyres.