F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Villeneuve to lead drivers' parade with father's winning Ferrari

Canadians are in for an emotional treat on Sunday when Jacques Villeneuve takes to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on-board his father's race winning Ferrari T3.

The event commemorates the 40th anniversary of the legendary Canadian driver's win in Montreal in 1978.

The 1997 world champion will lead for a full lap a pack of Austin Healeys carrying the 2018 Canadian Grand Prix drivers.

"It's great because it's the first time I will lead in a Formula 1 car in Montreal!" joked the 47-year-old former driver.

"As time passes, [the memory of Gilles] has more meaning, because you see what it represents, to the fans, to the people, to the history of the sport. And now having kids myself, I feel that more as well."

Villeneuve is well acquainted with his father's car and admits he's always impressed when driving a car from a bygone era of F1.

"I've driven this car at Goodwood, so I've sat in it already. It's different, it's like sitting in a tuna tin can, basically," he said.

"You can see your feet, then somebody puts a bit of plastic around you, which is the shell [bodywork], and you feel safe, but it's just plastic.

"But it's still amazing how advanced the cars were already back then."

©GuillaumeAlvarez

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Through one lens: Twelve photographs from the 2025 F1 season

  Lewis Hamilton: Australian GP – Albert Park Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix weekend…

9 hours ago

Two Formula 1 racers born on Christmas day

One driver has a hugely famous name, the other is a special Grand Prix winner,…

12 hours ago

Red with purpose – It’s time for Ferrari to bring it home

As the Ferrari factory in Maranello glows in festive crimson, a sense of anticipation hums…

1 day ago

Norris reveals the quirky private moment his F1 title finally sunk in

Lando Norris had just done the hardest thing in motorsport – winning the Formula 1…

1 day ago

Howden Ganley, McLaren's third-ever employee

A veteran of 41 Grands Prix starts, Howden Ganley - seen here above hitting a…

1 day ago

Leclerc’s ‘naughty’ Christmas gift leaves Russell ‘lost for words’

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc may not have ended the season with a silver trophy in hand,…

1 day ago