Joann Villeneuve, wife of Gilles, and her daughter Mélanie were interested spectators on Saturday in the paddock of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
They spent the day at Ferrari at the invitation of driver Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque wears a helmet in the colors of Gilles’s at the end of the week, of which he greatly admires.
A short photo op took place a few minutes before the start of the qualifying session at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
“I am very moved, exclaimed Mélanie, in an interview with the Journal de Montréal. This is another beautiful tribute to my father. Gilles is still alive, 41 years after his death. It warms our hearts to see that a driver from the Ferrari team is thinking of him. »
The Ultimate Pilot
Villeneuve, who died tragically in 1982, had his moments of glory at the wheel of a Ferrari, notably winning a memorable victory in 1978 in Montreal on the circuit that bears his name.
“I am obviously very touched by the gesture made by Charles and Ferrari. I am very grateful to them. We realize, after all these years, that Gilles is the ultimate driver. It’s the passion that takes the place of everything else,” said Joann.