Italian Grand Prix correspondent Pino Allievi (Corriere dello Sport) had the privilege of closely observing Gilles Villeneuve throughout his career in Formula One. We discussed the great Canadian driver.
When Niki Lauda announced he was moving to Brabham was Ferrari in a panic to replace him? How did Gilles come in the picture?
Yes, there was a kind of panic at Ferrari since Lauda represented the perfect racing driver with discipline, calculation and great sense of responsibility. Enzo Ferrari was aware that Lauda was able to make a car function to 100 percent and he could managed to win with it despite the other cars were often superior to his. Ferrari was also sure that in the end Lauda would say “no” to Brabham. This he proved to be wrong. When Enzo Ferrari chose Gilles Villeneuve to drive for his team he wanted to show to the world that Ferrari can achieve success with a driver that is almost unkown. He chose Gilles Villeneuve.
After the races in Canada and Japan in 1977 what was general opinion of Gilles? Italian media wanted Patrese? What did Enzo Ferrari think of him?
In Italy Ferrari wasn’t satisfied with him at all. There was a strong movement that was pro Patrese who was looking very strong at that moment. But Enzo Ferrari did not listen to the nay-sayers and simply stick by Villeneuve. Eventually he proved his point.
Why was he so unique?
He was just different from all the others. He had a personal obsession with speed. His mythical way of opposite-lock driving and his late-breaking at the very last second made him special. His style pleased the fans. He wasn’t big man but he was in exceptional condition. He would bully the car, sometimes too much, and often brought it beyond its mechanical limits. Lauda would not push the car to its limit. He was far more rational.
Why was Villeneuve the greatest hero of the past 35 years for Ferrari and Italy? His death made him immortal?
Villeneuve became an Italian idol not only because he defied logic but – as a metaphor of life – he demonstrated what one can achieve with pure guts. His death gave him immortality. It is the same in the case of Senna.
How do you rate Villeneuve among the great figures of Formula 1?
I consider him the greatest acrobat in the history of F1. But he didn’t have the time to demonstrate his true value among the actual champions.
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