Gilles Villeneuve's illustrated biography

 
 



Gilles Villeneuve’s Biography

Gilles-Villeneuve Museum’s collection pictures
All reproductions forbidden ©

Thanks to Pierrette Brissette, Jean-Pierre St-Jacques, Gaétan Savignac, Arthur Price, Jean Vachon.

  • 1947
His parents, Séville and Georgette Villeneuve, live in Chambly, Quebec
  • 1950
 Birth on January 18 at the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Hospital, Quebec
  • 1953
Birth of his brother Jacques
  • 1955
Elementary School beginning at Chambly
  • 1957
His Father already give him the wheel of his car
  • 1958
The family move to Berthierville, Quebec (photo 1958)
 
  • 1966
End of his high school at Sainte-Rose
Obtaining his driving licence
Acquisition of his first car, a Skoda
  • 1967
Participation at regional races of snowmobile with the help of Skiroule dealer from Berthierville
 
  • 1970
Wedding with Joann Barthe on the October 17
  • 1971
(April, 9 ) Birth of his first child, a baby boy named Jacques
  • 1972
 Join the snowmobile team Moto-Ski (photo 1972)
  • 1973
 Birth of his second child, a little girl named Mélanie
Beginning in Formula Ford (photo 1973)
Obtaining the best Rookie of the year title
Win the Quebec Championship
  • 1974
 Win the world championship of snowmobile at Eagle River, Wisconsin (USA) (photo 1974-A)
Beginning in Atlantic Formula with the Ecurie Canada racing Team (photo 1974-B)
  • 1975
 Win his first victory at Gimli, Manitoba
 
  • 1976
 Win nine races over 10 in Atlantic Formula (photo 1976)
Obtaining the Canadian Championship
Obtaining the American Championship
First race on European land in Formula 2 at Pau, France
  • 1977
 First race in Formula 1 at Silverstone, Britain
Second Canadian championship title at his 13th victory in Atlantic Formula
In September, call of Ferrari and signature of the contract
At the autumn, all the family move to Canne, France
  • 1978
 First victory in Formula 1 at the Canada Grand Prix, October, 8 (photo 1978)
  • 1979
 All the family move to Monaco
Second victory at the Kyalami Grand Prix, South Africa
Third victory in April at the Long Beach Grand Prix, California
(photo 1979-A)
Fourth victory in October at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix, New York
(photo 1979-B)
  • 1981
 Fifth victory at the Monaco Grand Prix in May
Sixth victory in June at the Jarama Grand Prix, Spain
  • 1982
 Fatal accident at the second day of the qualifications at the Zolder Grand Prix, Belgium, on May 8. (photo 1982)