Villeneuve and Pironi families collaborating on new documentary

The families of Gilles Villeneuve and Didier Pironi are working together on an upcoming feature documentary that will tell the story of the two Ferrari drivers' tragic 1982 season.

The Sky Studios and Noah Media Group film - on which former F1 driver Mark Webber is a producer - has entered production and is scheduled to be released towards the end of next year.

The documentary will benefit from the insight and participation of Gilles Villeneuve's wife Joann and her son, 1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve and his sister Melanie, while Catherine Goux, Pironi's partner, and her two sons Gilles and Didier are also contributing to the historic project.

The close friendship between Villeneuve and Pironi imploded at the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix when the former took command of the race and thought he could cruise his way to the checkered flag in front of his teammate after the two men were ordered by Ferrari to hold position in the closing stages of the race.

But Pironi promptly ignored the Scuderia's pit signals and overtook Villeneuve for the lead on the ultimate lap. The Canadian was understandably livid after the race and vowed never to speak to Pironi again.

As a true racer, Villeneuve was determined to seek revenge on the race track at the following race, the Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder.

Alas, fate would deny the legendary Ferrari driver that opportunity. In qualifying, Villeneuve was on a flyer when his stumbled upon the slow-moving March of Jochen Mass.

In an ill-fated split-second decision, the Canadian opted to overtake the German on the right on the approach to a double right-hander bend, only for the March to drift in the same direction.

The Ferrari was launched off the back of Mass' car at full speed and somersaulted as it disintegrated, ejecting its hopeless driver, still strapped to his seat, into the catch fencing on the outside edge of the Terlamenbocht corner. Villeneuve was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he died several hours later.

"This period in time and these events were traumatic for our family and, after more than 40 years, still remain very emotional," said Joann Villeneuve.

"Having been a privileged witness to these events, it is important that this story be told with respect."

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Catherine Goux said that her family was "delighted" to be collaborating with the film's production team.

"We are looking forward to the world learning more about the two incredible men that were Gilles and Didier, but also for a new generation to discover this unique and inspiring story that reaches beyond the sport itself."

Co-producer, John McKenna, who worked on the acclaimed 'Finding Jack Charlton' documentary, said: "We are extremely privileged and grateful to both the Villeneuve and Pironi families for putting their trust in Noah Media Group to tell this truly remarkable story of two incredible men.

"This will be a film with huge emotion and drama at its heart."

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