Gilles Villeneuve was one of the most loved Formula 1 drivers ever. He ran with Ferrari from 1977 to 1982, taking numerous awards at home before losing his life tragicly at just 32 years old.
In Ferrari Gilles he remained for 5 years by writing indelible pages of the Ferrari History. The first two years were not exciting for him. The most important year of him was 1979 when he got 3 wins and his best final seasonal placement: a second place behind his teammate Jody Scheckter and the victory of the manufacturers’ title.
The 1980 and 1981 season ended with a 14th and 7th place in the general classification. On May 8, 1982 on the circuit where the tests of the Belgium Grand Prix was held in a terrible accident.
Gilles out of a curve violently hit Jochen Mass’s March. The impact that took place at high speed was devastating and the pilot lost his life at just 32 years old. Gilles’ name still resonates in the mind, for all Formula 1 fans.
Follow Us