The only racing driver who could drive a qualification lap on every lap of a race, regardless the condition of is car. In 100 years, we will still talk about him. For the others, I have doubts.

It's disgusting that no one from Ferrari or the fia went to his funeral

Le Québécois Gilles Villeneuve, un grand de chez nous

The majority of us probably didn't see him race, but we, in fact, can sense and appreciate the aura and the raw talent this man seemed to have in an era were motorsport was as risky as it could be. Salut Gilles, one of the best raw talents F1 has ever witnessed.

No one from Ferrari, really? I never knew that. How sad. Gilles, is, and always will be my racing hero. I was 14 when he died and I can still remember that fateful day and hearing the news. I cried and cried; I still cry over him 35 years later. Gilles Villeneuve - Passion, precision, perfection. I miss you very much. I hope I will see you in the next life. x

The magic of Gilles Villeneuve, not racing for the Championship, not racing for the single Grand Prix, racing for the single turn, every turn on the edge of life and death not really knowing why or how, what do we live for, what do we race for, that's the feeling I've always got from looking into his eyes, those kid eyes, so honest and wild, like a buck coming out of the woods and staring into a racing track for the first time, every time the first time: "Is here where I truely belong? "

Peter Windsor is a fantastic story teller

Salut Gilles

Nice piece, very well written and presented. I have only one quibble: I have never believed that Gilles had Pironi in mind when he went out on that last lap. He was 100% a professional racing driver. The only thing he would have been thinking about was getting the most out of that lap. There was no room for anyone else in the cockpit, literally or figuratively. If there was then he had no business being in that car or any other that day. I believe that Gilles was a human being like any other and that he made mistakes, like at Silverstone in 1981 when he took out half the leaders at Woodcote. He showed his ability to drive mistake free at Jarama but that didn't mean he wouldn't do it again. But the treachery and betrayal theme sells him short. I remember the day he died. I emerged from my bedroom late on Sunday morning and I saw my 18 year-old sister standing in the kitchen doorway. She was crying. Then she told me what happened. With Gilles dead and Pironi (whom I actually liked) apparently maimed, I gave up watching F1 at the end of the year and have never gone back. Those years from 1980-82 remain for me a golden age. With the exception of the sixties, I don't think cars ever looked better. The races were riveting. I have watched the replays time and again. But my favourite is still the 1981 Monaco Grand Prix.Ten laps from the finish, Gilles could be seen manhandling that horrible Ferrari around the swimming pool with occasional lightning-quick twitch of opposite lock. All I could think was "Don't bin it now". Then Alan Jones, who had driven a superb race, had a fuel problem and suddenly everything was very close. But how could an evil-handling turbo car win on that circuit? I don't believe anyone other than Villeneuve could have done that. He obeyed Lauda's First Commandment, "Thou shalt never give up, even when thou hast no chance". His most memorable races were in terrible cars. That's why everyone loved him. He put them in places they had no right to be. He did things with them nobody else could do. But it wasn't just his speed and car control. Jarama showed he was capable of driving flawlessly under enormous pressure. Already highly-regarded, he was now revered, a driver from another galaxy.

I saw him racing snowmobiles when I was a kid in Michigan. Gilles Villeneuve and I think a brother were at Imay City with their Allouette race sleds and I believe Gilles won every heat of every class he entered. To see his cat-like reflexes getting off the line was incredible and I knew then as did everyone at this race venue that we had witnessed a driver unlike any other we would ever see. He was destined for greatness and was. RIP Gilles Villeneuve

If Gilles, or anyone from the Villenueve family, could see this, they’d be immensely proud. Passionate without being pretentious, honest without being arrogant and very moving. I thoroughly enjoyed this video and it done a great driver, who too few who support F1 know a thing about, proud.

RIP Gilles.. his last snowmobile race Waldheim March 1981 was the last weekend our race group had him in the pits.. against Ferrari’s instruction he brought the first Moto Ski Twin Track out and I was a marvel of Bombardier Race Department Engineering ( even thought only 2 were built for each Ski Doo and Moto Ski) he may have been humble in F1 but he was a MONSTER COMPETITOR with the sleds...

I think the true testament to Gilles' greatness is the enduring legacy of his legend. Here we are 36 years after his passing, and he is remembered as fondling by his fans (both new and old) as he was in his prime. Watching the amazing footage of him drifting the Ferrari around in his "All or nothing" style sends chills down my spine.

Watch him race the Moto-Ski twin track in Waldheim Sask in 1980. His last snowmobile race, he hadn’t told Ferrari that he was racing sleds in Canada and they were not impressed. But he loved racing snowmobiles. It was part of his DNA and Norther Quebec life.. We saw him dominate with Skiroule and Allouette and he raced like he raced Cars .. Win or Crash.. and always exciting

The only sport I ever followed, the only driver I think to this day that had all the skills that many wish they had. A drifter before drifting was even a thing. A true mechanic. Knowing even more than his mechanics. A pure natural. A true pilot. He could of driven a lawn more to a podium finish. A hometown hero yesterday, today and always. Cried like a baby when he passed away. And I still cry (as I write this) to this day when ever I think of him.. Salut Gilles.

The perfect archetype of a valiant racing driver. A code of honor which I also recognized in Mika Häkkinen. Salut Gilles!

Gilles is most definitely a hero, and in my opinion, the greatest ferrari driver ever.

Gilles un Québécois un vrai avec du chien et du courage . Salut Gilles !

Beautiful and well deserved tribute to our dear "GIL". Fastest driver ever and a man of his word. Legend, forever.

Gilles is a Canadian legend.

It was like losing a brother the day he died. F1 was never remotely the same for me after that day. A nice little tribute- well done.

The most talented of them all

Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much Peter.

Thanks for that Peter. I know someone that meet and spent time with Gilles at the time and they have nothing but love for him. I always refer to him as the fastest driver to ever to driver a race car. Some drive a race car but some are racing drivers.

I found F1 after Gilles passed away. 1985, if anyone is curious. The first race I watched, the Portuguese gp. Won by my hero, Senna. Whom as everyone knows also passed in 1994. I heard all about Gilles and his bravery and commitment. But something else he had that is being forgotten, his integrity. He could have nicked a few races from Jody Sheckter. His team mate. Something that is definitely missing in today's world. But he did not. Never forgotten that, and I hope it leads to some other people to find out more about this wonderful human being. And before anyone asks, he let him because he had a full understanding of exactly how fast he was compared to others so he knew he was a lot faster. But he wanted to make sure that the team, ferrari, got maximum points. Something to think about I'm sure.

Gilles - the true spirit of racing. Dijon 1979 is etched in my memory as is 1981 Jarama. What a fantastic review. RIP

Gilles was the greatest talent the motor racing world has had the privilege to witness. Such a shame he never got the title he deserved. As Jacque Laffite said at Watkins Glen '79 " he's on another level"

Thank You Peter for this tribute to Gilles. Very well done. As my friend said "Quite touching toward the end."

Tremendous piece Peter! Salut Gilles

One true hero, RIP Gilles

The late Gilles is always one of my Heroes in F1.So sad that no one from Ferrari and FIA attended the funeral.😢 Thank you for uploading the video.

Other bits of his legend : third place at the 1981 Canadian Grand Prix with no front spoiler, and a win at Jarama in the same year with a slower car but holding off 4 cars that finished within a second behind him.

so proud to be a quebecer him and his son putted us on them map like no one could have

Good stuff on a Canadian hero.

A great man, great racer, and a great Ferrari legend. He was simply too fearless and too fast for his own good. RIP Gilles

Villeneuve and Senna. Both died far too young.

I don’t recall if it was Murray Walker or Sam Posey (or maybe someone else) who said this, but there’s a story about watching Gilles reversing his Ferrari through the pit lane at not insignificant speed after a practice session. The description was that it was watching someone drive through an obstacle course, but backwards, and using only the tiny wing mirrors to navigate with. For some reason, that story always stayed with me. Villeneuve has always been my favourite driver.

he was little, and he was big also, I am 53 and he was my hero at the time... he was also from the same street i lived in

Bravo Gilles Bravo!!!

Thank you, Peter, for this thoughtful retrospective on Gilles Villeneuve's brilliance and his fraught, far-too-short career. As in life, so much in motorsport comes down to luck. And with F1 you need to factor in Machiavellian maneuvering off the track as well as on. And the idiotic rules. And the slow drivers who won’t give way and keep getting hired for yet another season. Gilles had charisma easily the equal of James Hunt, and natural talent to rival Ayrton Senna, but he just didn’t have the luck when he needed it. In Canada where I’m from, he was a living legend - and for all of us who followed his career, and that of his son Jacques, his spirit lives on.

In his book I read that at the end of a parade lap he would speed up then lock up his brakes over his grid spot then back up. This would lay down a patch of rubber for a quicker launch.

This was fantastic!

Wow. That story about the Jarama track marshals running for cover every time he went through the quick corners because the Ferrari handled so badly is epic.

Thanks, he was, and is still my hero !!!!

In all fairness, it has to be said that Enzo supported the family financially, and made generous arrangements for them. Enzo was also very much affected by Gilles' death, even though he refused to talk of it. He saw Gilles more like a Son....and was extremely fond of him. I think everyone was shocked that day. When I heard the news I had to go out. it really affected me, as he was not only an amazing Racer, but also such a straightforward and honest guy. Rest well Gilles.

As always, Peter Winsor dazzles us. What a performance. Oh how I miss him on F1 weekends. A master. Thank you Sir

Remembering Gilles. Respect. Such a tragic loss😭

I found out about giles two years ago, all i can say. legendary

For me, Gilles is the best driver of all times. I hope that where they are now there is a circuit. Gilles, Ayrton, Jim clarck and some others are having a great time.

An amazing tribute to an incredible driver. Thank you Peter and Autosport.

Gilles was an amazing driver reading a copy of Autosport of him winning the 1979 Long Beach GP ( my dad who didnt like motor racing brought home the magazine from work someone must have given him this ) i started watching F1 racing on the BBC 1/2 hr replay late on Sunday and quickly i became a Gilles fan and a fan of F 1 racing which im still a fan of to this day

Gilles villaneuve was an exceptionally talented F1 driver. A tragic loss of a rising star, who destined to be a F1 World Champion. He will always be missed and never forgotten. May he Rest in Peace.

Merci! Salut Gilles!

At the time, I was 22, and will never forget that fateful day in 1982. I can clearly remember sitting at the kitchen table, building a 1/24 scale replica of the Ferrari 312T he and Carlos Reuteman drove prior to the 1982 season. Suddenly, my mother ran in to tell me the devastating news, that Gilles has died during a practice/qualifying session at Zolder. I was speechless, it was as though a close family member had been taken from us. I was in attendance at that epic formula Atlantic event in Trois Riviers Quebec, where he so impressed James Hunt, and the likes. I was also in attendance at Mosport Park Ontario, for his first formula One event with team Ferrari. Most Canadians are known for their love of Hockey, and the favourite team they follow. My favourite national hero always was, and will be Gilles Villeneuve! 🇨🇦 🏆🍾☝️ 🏁 🏎💭 🏳

Great review Peter!!! Let's hope, we can see a lot of this kind of memories & reports !!

Gilles Villeneuve notre Champion Intrépide a nous les Québécois R I P Gilles tu seras toujours notre Champion de Formule.1 le plus aimé de la Scuderia Ferrari

Thank you for this video. Forza Gilles

Great video! Thanks for the upload! Long live the memory of the great Gilles Villeneuve!

In Maranello it is murmured that he could leave tire marks on a paper sheet against the wall…without touching the wall. A legend if you ask me.

The most spectacular driver I ever had the privilege of watching. Unforgettable. Unique. Still much missed, hence I returned to this video once again.

Those who saw Gilles drive know he was "The Best"!

What a great and moving tribute for a great man from an equally great observer and reporter of the sport, only Peter Winsdor can convert the mundane to a significant detail to narrate and emphasis the greatness of Gilles Villeneuve, and by definition set Gilles Villeneuve apart from the others, so much so, that by the end of video, there is only one Socratic conclusion, Gilles Villeneuve - A star too bright for the F1 galaxy Thanks Peter , the prose is almost celestial in places

I was there when he won in Montreal. Screaming with my buddy when the leading car broke down

Without doubt a star that shines until today and always will brighten🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

The heartbeat thing is insane

1981 Jarama, 126CK all power not a drop of handling unless fully fuelled, fought off and won from seventh on the grid - true determination

It was Villeneuve' and his swashbuckling driving that turned me on to F1 in the late 70's. To this day he remains my favorite driver. I wish today's F1 could go back that spectacular style of driving. Safety rules, which I get, but those days watching Villeneuve are very much missed.

That was wonderful , thank you Peter

Don't know if you are or just remembering Gilles, such a modest man with so many quality, push me hard to say: poetry !!! You are right, Villeneuve was a star that put others stars and the whole galaxy in the shadow of his light. Whatever god is in charge may bless him

Thank you, Peter. What a wonderful tribute.

There have been legends all thru F1's history, but Gilles was head and shoulders above them all! He had everything it took to win: the speed, the guts and needless to say, fearlessness. I'll miss him forever

Wow, all I can say is wow. Thanks for making this video, any modern day want to be driver could learn a thing or two here.

Brilliant film!! Thank you!

Salut Gilles!

Thanks for the memories gilles

''My father was pure, pure hart, honnest, totally sincere and he drove the same way.'' Melanie Villeneuve

Gilles still the greatest, if you put him in a car now, in his coffin he would still win.

A mans man through and through. Shame that no one from Ferrari and the FIA didn’t attend his funeral…they should have imo. I hope his legacy remains strong and in the minds of F1 followers forever. I know it will in my mind. Wishing his family the best. Cheers.

Wow well done tribute!

thanks for the video!👏 though miss some comment on those Gille's magical moments like driving in the rain especially when the front air deflector covered his visibility saludos = cheers

no words, thanks.

GOD LEVEL! Salut Gilles!

Thanks for all those stories 👌

very real compliments thank, I agree

Thanks for that, Peter... Yeah, Gilles was the GOAT. Numbers say differently, but hardcore F1ans know better...

Inoubliable Gilles Villeneuve 🏁🇨🇦🏁

salut Gilles tu sera toujours le plus grand .....

Beau reportage, merci.

Wonderfully made documentary. The Ferrari and FIA story was a sand ending to such an excellent driver.

PETER! I WAS A YOUNG CANADIAN BOY OF 12. MY FATHER WAS TAKING ME TO SEE MY FIRST FORMULA ONE RACE A FEW WEEKS AFTER HIS PASSING. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED THAT I COULD NOT SEE MY SHORT LIVED HERO. THE INNOCENCE OF A CHILD LEFT ME UNAWARE OF THE ANIMOSITY BETWEEN PIRONI AND GILLES. I WAS CHEERING FOR DIDIER THE WEEK AFTER BECAUSE I LOVED THE SCARLET CARS AND THEY ONLY FIELDED ONE UNTIL A REPLACEMENT FOR GILLES WAS FOUND. TOUCHING, MEMORABLE, AND WELL PUT TOGETHER PIECE PETER.

F1 has never been the same since Gilles passed.

I wish I could have seen him race in person.

He was brilliant to watch!

a great tribute to a true F1 Legend....

Wow...Excellent!

Great Man! What a legend!

my idol

At least Jody Scheckter was at the funeral to deliver his eulogy.

Wonderful.

Hope South Africa can witness these greats that is to come