May 8th 1982
The scarlet red Ferrari number 27 is on a quick lap in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. The scarlet red Ferrari number 27 is on at Zolder when suddenly it clips the back of a March and goes somersaulting out of control. The driver, still strapped in his seat, is thrown out of the car and flies through the air like a rag doll across to the other side of the track. That driver was Gilles Villeneuve: one of the best drivers of his era was killed instantly.
Gilles Villeneuve was born in Quebec, Canada in January 1950. An early love of classic cars led to him starting his racing career racing snowmobiles which then led to him doing a few drag races, mixing it with his snowmobile racing. His talent had been spotted and he quickly established himself in motor racing, becoming Canadian Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic champion in the USA. However, his big breakthrough was just around the corner.
After impressing in a non-championship race at Brands Hatch he was offered a one-off drive by McLaren in the 1977 British Grand Prix. Qualifying fifth between regular McLaren drivers Jochen Mass and World Champion James Hunt, he finished eleventh after over-heating issues. McLaren, though, decided not to take him on due to budget issues, but little did Gilles know he had a very important fan in Enzo Ferrari.
When new World Champion Niki Lauda quit Ferrari it was Villeneuve who took over his race seat. However, tragedy was to strike in his first race for Ferrari in Japan when his car went out of control, killing a Marshal and spectator. No blame was attached to Gilles, and he was taken on full time for the 1978 season. It was a difficult season at first but things improved and he won his first Grand Prix at his home race in Canada, cueing huge celebrations in his home province. To this day he remains the only Canadian to win his home Grand Prix.
In 1979 he was joined at Ferrari by Jody Scheckter. The season saw a superb battle between Ferrari and Williams, with Gilles winning three races, giving him a chance to be World Champion. However, he chose to play the role of loyal team mate to Scheckter and the South African was crowned world champion. Gilles is best remembered that season for limping around the Zandvoort circuit in Holland on three wheels; one of the most shown Villeneuve clips of all time.
The next two seasons were a struggle in general, though he did get two wins in 1981 with the now iconic number 27 on his car. An improving car and fast team-mate Didier Pironi promised much for 1982 and a push to finally become world champion. Two weeks before the fateful events of Zolder, Gilles and Pironi had a furious row after Pironi dis-obeyed team orders to overtake Gilles to win the previous race. At Zolder, Pironi was going faster in qualifying, but Gilles was hell-bent on beating him and set out in the remainder of qualifying determined to gain pole position. It was a fateful decision and Gilles tragically lost his life, shocking the Formula 1 fraternity and his many fans all over the world.
Villeneuve’s death was a shock all over the world and even today he remains my ultimate racing hero. I recall, on hearing of his death, being utterly devastated and I cannot help but wonder what might have been had he lived whenever his name crops up. He would be so proud of his son Jacques, who won the 1995 Indy 500 and in 1997 became Formula 1 World Champion. He has continued to race in many series and is so like his father in his attitude.
Gilles would no doubt have gone on to win races like Le Mans and maybe even the Indy 500 in time, but sadly we will never know. He is remembered today thanks to the circuit in Montreal where he won his first Grand Prix: The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Nearly every Grand Prix and NASCAR race there have been a credit to the man.
He would I’m sure have approved of Senna, Schumacher and Vettel with their win-at-all costs attitude. Gilles Villeneuve: the light that will never go out.
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