Gilles Villeneuve (1950–82,) born Joseph Gilles Henri Villeneuve, was a Canadian racing driver known for his fearless style and remarkable Formula One performances.
Born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, he grew up in Berthierville, developing a passion for racing. He started in snowmobile racing, winning the North American championship (1971,) then moved to Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic, winning the Canadian Championship (1976, 1977.)
Villeneuve débuted in Formula One with McLaren at the 1977 British Grand Prix, impressing Enzo Ferrari, who signed him to Scuderia Ferrari. He won his first Grand Prix in Canada (1978) and finished runner-up in the 1979 Formula One World Championship behind Jody Scheckter.
His most famous races include his duel with René Arnoux at the 1979 French Grand Prix and his defensive drive at the 1981 Spanish Grand Prix, where he held off faster cars for the entire race.
Villeneuve died tragically during qualifying for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder after colliding with Jochen Mass. His legacy lives on through the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal and his son Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula One World Champion.
Gerald Donaldson’s Gilles Villeneuve: The Life of the Legendary Racing Driver (1989) examines his career and impact on motorsport.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Gilles Villeneuve
If someone said to me that you can have three wishes, my first would have been to get into racing, my second to be in Formula 1, my third to drive for Ferrari.
—Gilles Villeneuve
Topics: Wishes
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