Gilles Villeneuve

Joseph Gilles Henri Villeneuve (January 18, 1950 – May 8, 1982) was a world-renowned Formula One racing driver.

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Villeneuve was born in the small town of Berthierville, Quebec, Canada. His first Formula One win came in his native province in the 1978 Canadian Grand Prix, held in Montreal. All told in his short career, he won six Grand Prix races. In 1979 he finished second by four points in the championship to teammate Jody Scheckter.

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Remembered for his frenetic style which seemed more like that of a rally driver, his wheel-banging duel with Ren? Arnoux in the last laps of the 1979 French Grand Prix at the Dijon circuit was one of the most intense moments in Formula One racing. Despite this, his six Grand Prix wins represent some of the most tactically astute and mechanically sensitive in the history of the sport. Perhaps his greatest achievements came in 1981, where he wrestled an unwieldy turbo Ferrari to victory at Monaco, followed by a classic of defensive driving at the Spanish Grand Prix, keeping 5 quicker cars behind him using his tactical acumen and the superior straightline speed of his car.

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Villeneuve went into 1982 a clear favourite for the crown. He was widely regarded as the best Formula One driver in the field, and Ferrari, after two years of mediocre cars, produced an excellent design. After glimpses of promise in the opening races, Villeneuve was back at the front for the San Marino Grand Prix, only for his team-mate Didier Pironi to disobey team orders and beat him to the line. Betrayed and angry, Villeneuve vowed never to speak to Pironi again. Tragedy struck at the next race on the calendar. On May 8, 1982, on his final qualifying lap for the Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder, the front left wheel of his car came into contact with the right rear wheel of Jochen Mass's car, which was on a slow 'in' lap. Villeneuve's car was launched into the air before nose-diving into the ground and somersaulting along the side of the track. The violence of the accident reduced the car to its cockpit, the force ripping Villeneuve's seat from the back of the monocoque. Just before the car landed for the final time, Villeneuve, still strapped to his seat, was thrown out into the catch fencing at the other side of the track. When the medical team arrived, he was not breathing. He died shortly thereafter in hospital. Mercifully, his fatal injuries were probably caused by the force of his car landing for the first time after the initial impact.

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His spectacular driving is still considered an art form among Formula One fans. He is still remembered at Grand Prix races, specially those in Italy.

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The racetrack on Île Notre-Dame, Montreal, used for the Molson Indy and Grand Prix du Canada, was renamed in his honour at the Canadian Grand Prix of 1982 after his death. Sadly, at the start of that race Riccardo Paletti died after crashing with the stalled Ferrari of Didier Pironi.

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Near the race track there is also a museum in his honour.

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"I know no human being can do miracles but Gilles could really surprise us sometimes."

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January 18: January 18 is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 347 days remaining (348 in leap years)...

1950: 1950 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar)....

May 8: May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). There are 237 days remaining....

Gilles Villeneuve related Images and Photos (experimental)

Portrait of Pierre Charles De Villeneuve (1763-1806) Engraved by Gilles Louis Chretien (1754-1811)	Gilles De Laval Lord of Rais (1404-40)	Jerome Petion de Villeneuve	Hot Wheels Elite Villeneuve 126 C2 US 1982 1:43 Vehicle
Hot Wheels Elite Villeneuve 312 T4 South Africa 1:43 Vehicle	Hot Wheels Elite Villeneuve 312 T5 #2 Argentina 1:43 Vehicle	Hot Wheels Elite Villeneuve 312 T3 Canada 1978 1:43 Vehicle	Hot Wheels Elite Villeneuve 312 T2 Canada 1977 1:43 Vehicle
The Sinking of Admiral Villeneuve's Flagship	La Crypte du Chateau de Tiffauges Gilles de Rais	Black Death at Tournai by Gilles De Muisit after 1349	Surveying and Demarcation of Land from "Traite D'Arpentage" by Arnaud De Villeneuve (1240-1312)