Gilles Villeneuve: A Photographic Portrait

The outstanding images in this book chronicle the career of one of the most admired Grand Prix drivers in living memory – and surely the most loved in all of F1 history.

Gilles Villeneuve’s career statistics cannot even begin to explain the mystique. It was created over only four full seasons with Ferrari in F1, three of these with uncompetitive cars. He achieved only six victories from 67 starts, two pole positions, eight fastest laps and 107 championship points. He was one of the finest racing drivers never to become World Champion.

He possessed miraculous car control and frightening courage that could often overcome the flaws in his equipment. He thrilled spectators because he made them fear for his safety. He raced to win and, if that meant taking risks, so be it. He crashed often, and occasionally he broke his cars in his frustration, but he could wring from them performances far beyond their capabilities. Sometimes his starts almost defined belief, and always he was magnificent on a wet track. He never, ever, gave up.

He treated his racing cars with uncompromising brutality. Yet he was soft-natured, and emotional and devoted family man, loyal to his friends, charming to strangers. He was unwavering in his commitment to sportsmanship, to his inborn sense of right and wrong.

One dreadful day, incensed by an injustice, he took a risk too many. The memories he left us will stay with us always. There has never been a racing driver like Gilles Villeneuve. It is impossible to believe there ever will be.