For 1982 The 126C2 was a development of the previous years 126C model but thanks to the hiring of renowned designer Harvey Postlethwaite, it was about 20 kg lighter and handled so much better. It retained the engine solution of the previous year with twin overhead compressors with just one wastegate valve and produced around 600 bhp (447 kW; 608 PS) in qualifying trim, detuned to 550 bhp (410 kW; 558 PS) for the races proper.
The 126C2 proved itself to be a very competitive car and in the end, won the Constructors’ title. Only tragedy saw the team lose out on the Drivers’ F1 title in 1982. On May 8, one of the team's and world’s most popular drivers Gilles Villeneuve was lost in Belgian GP practice. Barely three months later, Didier Pironi, who had a very strong lead in the Championship having won at Imola and Zandvoort, was severely injured in the German GP warm-up and had to pull out of the rest of the season.
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