Gilles Villeneuve quotes

Gilles Villeneuve was a Canadian racing driver, most famous for his time in Formula One with Ferrari. His daring driving style and fearless overtaking maneuvers made him a fan favorite and a legend in motorsport history. He is remembered for his passion, determination, and the electrifying excitement he brought to the racetrack. Here are 14 of his quotes:

The sport is more important than anything. More important than any of the people in it. Of course I say what I think. I always have, even if it upsets people like Ecclestone and Balestre. Why should I be afraid of them? The fans aren't here to see politicians and manipulators. They're here to see me. I am very secure in my feelings about racing. I make a lot of money from it, but one thing I can tell you for sure: if the money disappeared overnight, I would still be in racing, because I love it. The entrepreneurs would be gone.

Gilles Villeneuve

The kids were just 8 and 10 years old and seemed to be doing much better than I expected. That first night they both went upstairs to bed, and later I went up to check on them. They were asleep. When I saw Melanie I started crying. She had a picture of her dad with her. She was holding it in her arms.

Gilles Villeneuve

It was terrible when Gilles died. I cried that day and the next one too, even though I had to race... ...and I remember the feeling that we were all starting equal, from now. Villeneuve was gone. We all knew he had talent beyond our reach.

Gilles Villeneuve

His death signified the passing of a certain approach. He was the last person who had the totally un-inhibited joy of driving a racing car.

Gilles Villeneuve

His death has deprived us of a great champion - one that I loved very much. My past is scarred with grief; parents, brother, son. My life is full of sad memories. I look back and see the faces of my loved ones, and among them I see him.

Gilles Villeneuve

In a situation like that I know I would have been scared stiff. But I am sure that when Gilles felt his Ferrari take off, his last thought was anger, plain and simple, because he knew that he had spoiled that one perfect lap.

Gilles Villeneuve

Behind the wheel of a racing car he was fearfully quick, never stopped trying, and could extricate himself from the most precarious situations with deft brilliance.

Gilles Villeneuve

He also never drove anywhere at anything less than an absolutely flat-out pace, be it on the road or the track...

Gilles Villeneuve

If someone said to me that you can have three wishes, my first would have been to get into racing, my second to be in Formula 1, my third to drive for Ferrari.

Gilles Villeneuve

His car control was extraordinary, even compared with the many talented drivers I have had the opportunity to drive against over the years. ... [He drove a] Grand Prix car to the absolute limit of its ability.

Gilles Villeneuve

I was at home in Monaco that Sunday. A friend of mine called from Zolder and said 'Gilles has had a big accident, and it doesn't look good at all.' So I phoned Joann, and shot up to her place very quickly. From then on it was chaos and disaster. You don't want to think about it.

Gilles Villeneuve

de la Plante, Allan; Lecours, Pierre (1982). Villeneuve. Macmillan. ISBN 0-7715-9851-3.

Gilles Villeneuve