Unforgettable.
The legend of Gilles Villeneuve has survived changing eras, passing trends, and even the tragedy of his death, which came 44 years ago following his fatal crash at Zolder. The Canadian proved that in sport, victories are not everything. It is possible to earn a permanent place in people’s hearts through purity, courage, instinct, and creativity.
On track, Gilles Villeneuve never held anything back, creating some of the most electrifying moments in Formula 1 history—most famously his unforgettable battle with René Arnoux at Dijon in 1979. Away from racing, however, his thoughts were always with his wife Joann and their children, Melanie and Jacques, the latter following his father’s passion all the way to becoming Formula 1 world champion in 1997.
“Many other drivers have died, but they did not leave that same emptiness,” Joann Villeneuve says today.
Did you expect Gilles to still be loved this much after all these years?
“No, and it is something that is truly moving. His life had a huge impact on people and inspired new generations. I think he showed that if you work hard and have determination, you can succeed. I met him when I was 16 and saw him racing snowmobiles too. What I remember from that time is the cold. At first, I thought everyone drove like Gilles, then I realised I had lived through some very special experiences.”
How did you react when you discovered he had sold your house to keep racing?
“It was a fairly surreal moment. He did not know where we would go, but he needed that money to pay for a racing season. I was not angry because what mattered to me was being together. I needed him, not a big house. I did not care if we ended up living in a camper van. Over time, he passed on his passion for four wheels to me too. After all, he talked about nothing but cars, engines, and racing.”
Did Gilles involve you in any other of his lovable crazy adventures?
“I always felt safe and could even sleep while he was driving fast on the motorway. Only once was I scared—when he took me up in a helicopter during a windstorm. He wanted to see whether everything was working properly.”
How did Gilles experience the moment he had to help Jody Scheckter win the 1979 world title?
“He was extremely loyal. They had made an agreement, and he honoured it without hesitation. That is why he was so disappointed when Didier Pironi did not respect the agreement at the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix. For Gilles, a handshake carried the same value as a signed contract, and he felt betrayed.”
Catherine Goux, Didier Pironi’s partner, chose to name one of their sons Gilles. Did that strike you as strange?
“Their relationship had not yet started at Imola, so she only heard one version of the story. Let us say we did not experience that moment in the same way. She did not ask my permission to use Gilles’ name, but the twins were born after their father’s death, and I did not want to be cruel, especially because I wanted to maintain Catherine’s respect.”
For many years it seemed Jacques had a complicated relationship with his father’s legacy, but then he named his fifth child Gilles…
“He suffered a lot, and carrying that surname was not easy for him. Everyone constantly compared him to his father, but Jacques simply wanted to live his own life. He did not complete Gilles’ unfinished work by winning the title—he won it for himself, by achieving his own dream.”
What impression did Enzo Ferrari leave on you?
“I did not see him often because I stayed in Monte Carlo with the children and did not go to Fiorano much. So I only had dinner with the Commendatore two or three times. What always amazed me was his ability to find exactly the right words. Gilles respected him enormously, and it was clear they had a very close relationship.
“Enzo was not at Imola. Marco Piccinini explained everything to him, but Piccinini had just been Pironi’s best man at his wedding. That is why Ferrari initially did not defend Gilles. Later, he changed his view somewhat after we sent him a telex explaining what had really happened.”
Did you stay in contact with Enzo Ferrari after your husband’s death?
“Yes, he wrote to me, and we saw each other again a year later when Gilles’ bust was unveiled at Fiorano. It was not easy to meet because we lived far apart, but Ferrari was always very kind to me.”
Do you ever regret not going to Zolder?
“I do not think my presence there would have changed anything. When Gilles lowered his visor, he entered another world. Besides, I had an important reason to stay home—Melanie’s first communion.”
Do you still follow Formula 1?
“I am still very passionate about it. I appreciate Lewis Hamilton because he sends positive messages and tries to do good. Since his debut in 2007, he has been through so much. You can see his experience, and he has become a star beyond the racetrack as well.”
Is there any current driver who reminds you of Gilles?
“Max Verstappen for his dedication to racing, and Charles Leclerc for his personality. The Dutchman has shown his love for motorsport by competing in other categories too, which is not something you automatically expect from a driver of his level. He is impulsive and capable of extraordinary things behind the wheel.
“Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, is calm and reserved, but when he gets in the car, he becomes a completely different person. The Monegasque has given so much to Ferrari while receiving less than he deserves—rather like my husband.”
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