Today...36 years ago the best of the best, left us....but those who saw him, will never forget... https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=809963049105514
A few images from his life... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
In '82, Team orders potentially broken, friendships destroyed and ultimately a life lost as Didier Pironi wins the San Marino GP ahead of Gilles Villeneuve following a last lap overtake. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
R.I.P. Gilles Villeneuve Born 18/1/1950 Saint-Jean-Richelieu, Quebec Died 8/5/1982 Zolder, Belgium * Image Unavailable, Please Login
Gilles Villeneuve, Ferrari 312T4 - Ferrari 015, 3.0 Flat-12. GP Netherlands 1979. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Such a great loss both as gifted driver, humble personality and honorable man. A rare combination that his legions of fans still remember and continue to celebrate. Salute Gilles! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Years of activity 1977-1982 Car driver McLaren Team (1977) Ferrari (1977-1982) Statistics Number of races 67 Pole Positions 2 Podiums 13 Victories 6
I got to see him at Long Beach the first time he led an F1 race. He took the lead on the first lap and led until he crashed out. He was happy anyway because his helmet was still clean of rubber and oil as he had led from the front row. I remember exactly where I was when I read about his death in the newspaper.
This photograph sent me to the bookshelves to retrieve Gille Villeneuve, The Life of the Legendary Racing Driver by Gerald Donaldson. The Mustang was a 1967 289 which Gilles drag raced at Napierville, Sanair and Lavaltrie. According to Donaldson he later replaced the 289 with a 427. After Gilles started racing snowmobiles(and later FF) it became the Villeneuve family car.
Hi Pedro, I was only musing on my inference his first race car was red with a horse as the symbol. Naturally, Ford was the main racing rival to Ferrari at the time, with the Cosworth engine in F1 and World Sportscar Championship in the mid 60’s. Ownership by Ford almost occurred in 1964 except Enzo’s demand Ford’s relationship with Shelby American had to terminate immediately. But that’s another story and I only mention it because I find it someone ironic I read long ago Long Beach was one of Gilles’ favourite destinations. The reason ? More Shelby 427 Cobras on used car lots than anywhere else. Chris Pook had a standing agreement to take Gilles to local sideoiler sales folk during the circus’ annual pilgrimage near the track because he really wanted to get one “before the prices go up”. Believe he kept that secret away from Enzo .
Your anecdote about the 427 Cobras triggered a recollection on my part. Before the US broadcast(maybe CBS) of one of the Long Beach GPs there was a piece featuring Gilles driving a 427 Cobra in southern CA. In it he mentions his desire to acquire one, also mentioning(I think) GT40 and Daytona. Thanks for the post!
