If there is such a thing as ‘racing royalty‘ in Canada, it is the Villeneuve family. Jacques Villeneuve won the Indianapolis 500 and the Formula 1 World Championship, and is Canada’s most successful open-wheel racer. However, his father Gilles ascended to legendary status that Jacques probably never will.
Gilles competed in sixty-seven Grand Prix races from 1977 to 1982, taking six victories and thirteen podiums. His incredible car control, honed by years of snowmobile racing, was unlike other lesser drivers. He was also a personal favourite of Enzo Ferrari, who hired Gilles to race for the Scuderia after only one race at a rival team. Sadly, Gilles Villeneuve was cut down in the prime of his life and the height of his driving powers. A crash during qualifying at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.
His tragic death at 32 years old ascended Gilles Villenuve to god-like status in the racing world. Even the F1 circuit in Montreal is named in his honour, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
It was heartbreaking to learn that last month, a life-sized bronze statue of the man himself was stolen from the podium in front of the Gilles Villeneuve Museum in Berthierville, Quebec, about 70 km from Montreal. The thieves cur the statue at the ankles, leaving a set of bronze racing boots behind. Police believe that the thieves intend to melt down the statue for it’s precious metal value.
The statue was created in 1984, as a tribute to Gilles Villeneuve shortly after his death. It has been on display in front of the museum in Gilles Villeneuve’s hometown since 1994, without incident.
Gilles son Jacques Villeneuve, now 53, posted a video to social media saying he has had trouble sleeping since learning of the theft. He describes the thieves as shameless, soulless beings and he isn’t wrong. Gilles Villeneuve represented Canada on the international stage, and was respect around the world.
To desecrate a monument to a great Canadian like Gilles Villeneuve is just a heartless thing to do. Downright un-Canadian.
We do not give thanks for the bronze thieves. Otherwise, Happy Thanksgiving.
If some bad guy stole the statue and the podium and put it in their man cave / garage / evil lair I’d say OK … I get it. But to chop lil Gilles feet off and just melt the thing is terrible. Some artist poured their heart into that sculpture.
Criminals are not know for their appreciation of fine art. It really is a travesty to do that to the sculpture
Yeah, I really felt bad when I read about the theft. It’s even kind of vandalism, the way they left his poor little boots still attached to the ground. I hope the motorsports community in Montreal help to get another statue made. I’d chip in money for that.
I hope they can replace it too. That’s an icon.
Theives just plaing suck.
Right. This isn’t a Robin Hood type of rob from the rich to give to the poor either. It’s just a terrible thing to do.
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I feel bad for the son, Jacques. Imagine getting the news that his father’s statue was stolen. He should immediately commission a new one, and install tasers or some other electro-shock device to zap anyone touching it.
I’m all for that. I was in prison yeasterday, and the maximum secuity pods have high voltage electirc wires around the tops of the buildings. I got out for good behavior.
Well..l glad they let you out.
I think I’ll write to the Villeneuve family and suggest LOW voltage instead.
Low voltage if you touch it, high voltage if you try to move it.
OK…now that’s some good thinking. Some tourist goes to take a picture with their arm around the statue’s shoulders, and they get zapped. Not ideal, but they won’t do THAT again.
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But if somebody has their hands on Gilles for more than 5 seconds, turn up the juice and fry them.
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Nice!
One of my good memories from when I was a kid was sitting in front of the TV and watching F1 races with my friends. Gilles was one of our heroes, and to see his statue desecrated like this is heartbreaking.
I am kind of surprised that this isn’t a bigger news story. I think the Canadian automotive and motorsports community should have already launched a plan to replace the statue. Dont let these hooligans win!
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How many people around the world had the same experience as you? Watching Gilles the racing hero.
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Many of us.