Jacques Villeneuve: “The memory of my father Gilles is still alive”

Yesterday, the memorial dedicated to Gilles Villeneuve, the late Ferrari driver who died in Zolder during official practice for the Belgian Grand Prix on 8 May 1982, was inaugurated at the “Enzo e Dino Ferrari” racetrack in Imola. The monument , created by Ferdinando Forlai in 1983, was returned to the public and renovated thanks to the proceeds obtained from the kart races, which are held every year on the Romagna track, organized by the Imola group La Challenge of the Heart.

The Memorial was positioned near the Variante which bears the name of the Canadian driver, who delighted Formula 1 enthusiasts with his immense driving qualities between the end of the 70s and the beginning of the 80s.

Also present at the event was Jacques Villeneuve, son of the unforgettable “Flying Canadian”: «I'm very surprised - he said - I didn't expect so many people and so much passion, a sign that the memory of my father is still alive in the hearts of fans. I didn't even know there was a monument dedicated to him, when I came to Imola I only did it to race. I want to thank everyone for a wonderful day».

Precisely in Imola, before that cursed May 8th, Gilles Villeneuve contested his last race of his career, finishing in second place behind teammate Didier Pironi. A GP remembered for the tension generated between the two at the end of the race, with the Canadian accusing the Frenchman of not having respected the team's order to "freeze" the positions, going on to definitively overtake him during the last lap after a very tight head to head.

Piero Ladisa