Jacques Villeneuve to drive Gilles Villeneuve's 1979 Ferrari Formula 1 car at Fiorano

[steelstallions]

Jacques Villeneuve to drive Gilles Villeneuve's 1979 Ferrari Formula 1 car at Fiorano to mark 30 years since Gilles' death

http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/98669

Regarded by many as the fastest driver ever to compete in F1, Gilles Villeneuve only won six grands prix in his tragically short world championship career, but earned legendary status for his heroic handling of a string of difficult Ferraris.The 1979 Ferrari 312 T4 was the most competitive car of Villeneuve's career, and he supported team-mate Jody Scheckter's run to the world title and played a pivotal role in the team's constructors' crown.

Jacques Villeneuve will drive the car at Fiorano on 8 May, 30 years on from the day that his father lost his life in a crash in qualifying for the Belgian GP at Zolder.

The younger Villeneuve went on to have a successful F1 career in his own right, winning the 1997 title.

A Ferrari statement said Jacques Villeneuve's outing in the 312 T4 would be "a fitting occasion to evoke the memory of a man who has and always will have a place of honour in the history of Ferrari."

I was a boy at the time and I remember how upset I got at the time, cannot believe 30 years have gone by already.

[Liscia]

A wonderful gesture by Ferrari!

[REDARMYSOJA]

97691529853_10_resize.jpg

[sav_pap]

It's always nice not to forget the people who served you !!!

[Hombre B]

Jacques Villeneuve in Maranello:

[Ste]

They better not let him wear baggy overalls....

[F1NAC]

Salut Gilles !!!

[Hombre B]

[Hombre B]

[Kingdom Hearts]

He looks happy, good for him :)

[tpe]

Look how unsafe it seems that car...
But the sound...

[Hombre B]

http://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/g...ve-08may-1.php

[Nova]

Wonderful gesture, great to see!!! What a great F1 car!!! 12 cyl Ferrari!!!
Salute Gilles!

[Axelsson]

[Suzie]

Regardless of any opinions I may have on Villeneuve Jr, this was a lovely gesture and it must have been really special for him to drive that car.
I really wish I'd had a chance to see Gilles race.

[Hornet]

This is why Ferrari is a true racing team in a class of its own. They go to great length just to pay tribute to its past great drivers.


I'm amazed that Ferrari still have a working car with the engine and everything

[Homan13PSU]

They better not let him wear baggy overalls....

From the picture it sure appears they did.

[Greig]

Pictures from today - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...8083096&type=1

[Forza 27]

[Nova]

I really really wouldve loved to be there!!!

[F2008]

Fantastic! Great to see Jacques at Ferrari

[RedRebel40]

incredible car incredible technique wow.

[ferrari1.8t]

Great video, beautiful car, sensational sound! At 1:47 you can hear Massa commenting on how the tracks used to be skinnier/tighter than they are now.

[Aruba]

Thanks for the pictures and the videos. Appreciate it

[Forza 27]

[Greig]

[SS454]

I didn't know JV could speak fluent italian. Looked good in the car. Would like to hear what he had to say about the experience though.

[Rob]

Just brilliant, what a gesture. Love that car, and must of been a emotional day Jacques.

[Tifoso]

Simply stunning.

1. Beautiful car

2. Actual stick shift

3. Jacques speaks excellent Italian

[Omegablue]

Nice gesture indeed. McLaren often unleashes Senna's cars on the track in his memory. Ferrari should do it more often for all it's past great drivers.

Gilles lived in Italy while Jacques grew up, and did most of his early racing in Italy. That's why he can speak Italian properly.

And yes, this a gorgeous car.