Gilles villeneuve y enzo ferrari biography

His name, linked to that of Scuderia Ferrari, became legendary. Gilles Villeneuve had a different approach to racing, one that knew no fear. To the crowds who loved him, he represented a truly fearless modern hero. It may be Italy in July, but Enzo is dressed immaculately in a suit and tie. His attire contrasts with the grubby overalls of Villeneuve.

Testing Formula One cars is hard work, usually unglamorous, mainly involving lap after lap in between working on the car in the pits. It is relentless. Onlookers say the two men spoke in French, rather than Italian. This itself showed the respect Enzo had for his French-Canadian driver Ferrari was, however, multi-lingual, a talent he had relied upon when crossing Europe during his early years of motor racing.

They also both sat on fold-up chairs, as equals. Just out of shot are Autosprint publisher Luciano Conti and Imola racetrack director Roberto Nosetto, again sat on the same basic chairs. The decisive factor in Ferrari's final choice was the last race of the season, where Gilles Villeneuve crossed the finish line first at his home race in Montreal.

This victory convinced the Drake of the driver's competitive maturity, leading him to believe that he could still win his greatest bet. The rest is history, with Gilles Villeneuve staying at Ferrari and playing a crucial role in helping Jody Scheckter win the title. By the 14th lap of the lap race, he had heroically taken the lead.

Gilles villeneuve y enzo ferrari biography

Despite failing tyres, turbo lag and poor handling, Villeneuve doggedly hung on. A driver famed for his flamboyance and speed was now showing the flipside of his skills: intelligence, resilience and concentration. He used his famous late braking skills repeatedly. He used the power of the Ferrari turbo to extend his lead down the main straight, before being caught again on the twisty section — which was most of the circuit.

It was a brilliantly disciplined tactical victory. Behind him, drivers swapped places, as they harried the little Canadian.