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Former Formula 1 driver, Frenchman Jean-Pierre Jarier talks about his F1 days with Gilles Villeneuve. Jarier was nicknamed “Godasse de plomb” by his peers, “Foot of lead” because of his tendency to squash the throttle.
"Thinking of Gilles Villeneuve brings back two crucial memories," says Jarier.
"First, in Formula Atlantic at Trois-Rivières. I'm dominating the race when I come across a back-marker. Gilles swoops by and wins the race. Then, in 1978, at Montreal's Canadian Grand Prix, I'm leading again by over 40 seconds at the wheel of my Lotus when an oil leaks forces me to retire. Once again, Gilles gets away with my win!"
"Those two lost victories changed my career. It's not Gilles' fault, I must admit. I mean, those aren't the only two mishaps that costed me a win over the course of my career," he admits.
Both men also shared a common interest for flying machines, such as planes and helicopters.
"When we were both in F1, Gilles used to ask me a lot about flying, for example 'Is it normal that I have a hard time when I get close to mountains?' Those were questions only he would ask, questions almost childish.
"It's normal to have a hard time flying close to mountains; of course! It's almost impossible!
"He also did stuff nobody else dared to try, like shutting off the engine while airborne, landing in parking lots, or not landing at all when fog would rise! He was incredibly bold, maybe because he didn't have any nerves! Gilles was an incredible, exceptional character, and very romantic too. Almost as if he was a medieval knight.
"He took risks like no one else, and that seduced at lot of fans.
"But it was incredibly dangerous, there is no denying that. Then again, Gilles was like disconnected from the real world, living in his own bubble instead," the former F1 driver adds.
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| Jean-Pierre Jarier, former F1 driver. (Photo: WRI2) |
"Thinking of Gilles Villeneuve brings back two crucial memories," says Jarier.
"First, in Formula Atlantic at Trois-Rivières. I'm dominating the race when I come across a back-marker. Gilles swoops by and wins the race. Then, in 1978, at Montreal's Canadian Grand Prix, I'm leading again by over 40 seconds at the wheel of my Lotus when an oil leaks forces me to retire. Once again, Gilles gets away with my win!"
"Those two lost victories changed my career. It's not Gilles' fault, I must admit. I mean, those aren't the only two mishaps that costed me a win over the course of my career," he admits.
 |
| Jarier, Lotus 79, 1978 Canadian Grand Prix (Photo: WRI2) |
Both men also shared a common interest for flying machines, such as planes and helicopters.
"When we were both in F1, Gilles used to ask me a lot about flying, for example 'Is it normal that I have a hard time when I get close to mountains?' Those were questions only he would ask, questions almost childish.
"It's normal to have a hard time flying close to mountains; of course! It's almost impossible!
"He also did stuff nobody else dared to try, like shutting off the engine while airborne, landing in parking lots, or not landing at all when fog would rise! He was incredibly bold, maybe because he didn't have any nerves! Gilles was an incredible, exceptional character, and very romantic too. Almost as if he was a medieval knight.
 |
| Jean-Pierre Jarier, Tyrrell-Ford, 1980 (Photo: WRI2) |
"He took risks like no one else, and that seduced at lot of fans.
"But it was incredibly dangerous, there is no denying that. Then again, Gilles was like disconnected from the real world, living in his own bubble instead," the former F1 driver adds.