Yesterday morning, at the Fiorano Circuit, one could be forgiven
for imagining that Gilles Villeneuve was back on track, when
shortly after 10.30, a 312 T4 rumbled out of the pits prior to
doing a few laps of the track. In fact, this was a special
commemoration organised by Ferrari as a tribute to the Canadian
driver who raced for the Maranello Scuderia from 1977 until he
died tragically during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix on
8 May 1982. On the thirtieth anniversary of his death, his son
Jacques took to the track in his memory, at the wheel of the
same car with which his father won three races in 1979 and that
his team-mate Jody Scheckter drove to take the Drivers’
Championship title. Taking part in the event were Ferrari
President Luca di Montezemolo, Vice President Piero Ferrari,
Scuderia Ferrari drivers, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa,
Managing Director, Amadeo Felisa and former Ferrari engineer,
Mauro Forghieri, who was Technical Director in Gilles’ day. Many
fans were drawn to Maranello by the ever present memory of the
courageous driver and bringing the event to life, they were
joined by Villeneuve’s mechanics, his widow Joann and their
daughter Melanie, who had been by his side back in those
unforgettable days. |