Heartless theft: Jacques Villeneuve calls for return of father’s statue

Jacques Villeneuve, son of Formula 1 legend Gilles Villeneuve, has expressed outrage following the theft of a bronze statue of his father from a museum dedicated to the late racing icon.

The 1997 F1 World Champion denounced the hideous act which has left fans and the local community reeling, calling the perpetrators “shameless, soulless beings”.

The Villeneuve name has long held a special place in the hearts of Formula 1 fans worldwide, but in Berthierville, Quebec, where Gilles Villeneuve was born, his legacy is woven into the town's identity.

The Musée Gilles Villeneuve stands as a tribute to the racing legend, who captured hearts with his fearless driving and left an indelible mark on the sport before his tragic death in 1982.

But two weeks ago, a bronze statue of Gilles Villeneuve—a life-sized homage to the man who became a Canadian hero—was stolen from the front of the museum, severed at the ankles by thieves and leaving the Villeneuve family in shock and disbelief .

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For Jacques Villeneuve, the theft is not just a crime; it is an incomprehensible act that shows a callous disregard for the memory of a beloved figure.

“My dad's bronze monument was stolen at the museum," Jacques wrote in an emotional post on Instagram, his words revealing a mix of heartbreak and anger.

"Those shameless, soulless beings do not deserve to be called humans."

In an interview with CanadaCasino.ca , he voiced his bewilderment and frustration, wondering how such an act could be carried out with no witnesses to stop it.

“Why would someone do that? I just don't get it. It is not like gold or diamonds which you can steal and hide and then sell. It defies belief,” he said.

For the former F1 driver, the logistics alone make theft seem unimaginable.

“It's quite a big heavy piece and it would take a lot of effort to cut it down and you'd need a big truck to take it.

“No one noticed, which I found even crazier. How do you not notice someone doing that? And what do you do with it? It is missing its feet. You can't sell it because if you tried to, people would immediately realize they were the idiots who took it.

“If you melted it down, it wouldn't be worth much. Bronze is not that valuable. So, it is pointless… financially, with the amount it took to take it, it doesn't make sense.”

The museum's plea for help reflects a similar sense of urgency. A reward of $12,000 has been offered for any information that leads to the statue's recovery, and the institution has taken to social media with a clear message: “The important thing is to bring Gilles back to his museum!”

For Jacques and the museum, the statue represents far more than its physical material; it's a piece of history, a public monument to a Canadian icon.

Gilles Villeneuve's legacy is a cornerstone of Canadian motorsport history, and his son has spent a lifetime honoring him, both on the track and in his public life.

Now, he and many others hope that the stolen statue, a treasured reminder of Gilles' courage and talent, will be returned to its rightful place, where it can continue to inspire fans and pay tribute to a racing hero who was taken from the world too soon.

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