The Ligier team had raced the JS17B, an update of the 1981 car, for the early part of the year before introducing the JS19 at Monaco. The team drivers, Eddie Cheever and Jacques Laffite, qualified 16th and 18th on the grid, respectively, but both retired from the race. When the team were down to a single JS19 for races, Cheever attempted to qualify for the Dutch race but failed when he crashed heavily, damaging it beyond repair. Laffite qualified a new JS19 20th at the following race in Britain but retired with gear box issues. Both drivers made the grid in France and went on to finish the race albeit well out of the points. Qualifying was a little better in Germany with Cheever 12th on the grid, the team's best placing so far with the JS19. Both drivers retired from the race with handling issues.