Formula One loses its dasher

Press, 21 May 1982, Page 15

Formula One loses its dasher

Bv

GEORGE TANNER

The tragic death of the top Canadian racing driver, Gilles Villeneuve, has cast a pall over a grand prix scene already suffering from internal bickering and controversy. Villeneuve (30) was without doubt the fastest, most flamboyant driver the sport had seen for many years. Enzo Ferrari once compared him with the legendary Tazio Nuvolari for his prowess and aggressive style. His rise through the lower ranks to the top was as meteoric as his driving. His career in Formula One began in 1977 with a trial run for the Marlboro McLaren team. But after he had qualified faster than many experienced rivals, McLaren, surprisingly. did not exercise its option on the hard charger and opted instead for a Frenchman. Patrick Tambay. a decision it was soon to regret.

When the twice-world champion. Niki Lauda, decided to leave the Ferrari team just before the conclusion of the 1977 season, Villeneuve was offered the enviable position in the Italian stable. But his opening performances W'ith the Ferrari team were disastrous, to say the least. In the Japanese Grand Prix at the Mount Fuji circuit. his car came into violent contact with the Tyrell of the Swedish driver, Ronnie Peterson, and cartwheeled into an put-of-bounds area, killing two unauthorised spectators. Several months

later Villeneuve again had a lucky escape when he crashed at high speed, practising at Kyalami in South Africa. People then started to question Ferrari’s wisdom in having such a volatile driver in the scarlet car. but his faith was soon justified when Villeneuve won his home

grand prix at Montreal later in the season.

Perhaps it was his aggressive. press-on attitude that robbed him of wins, but for Villeneuve, second place and six points were no match for a win and nine points. Six times in his career he got his nine points, but more often than not all he got for his efforts was a heap of crumpled wreckage.

Gilles Villeneuve was often criticised for his attacking style, but then he was, after all a racing driver — and a good racing driver does not sit back and hope others in front of him fall by the wayside.

Now, tragically, he is gone and the sport has been robbed of a brilliant, colour-, ful character, who will be virtually impossible to replace. Villeneuve was of a rare breed; his loss to his profession will be sorely felt.