GP: Spanish Grand Prix
Date: 21 June 1981
Winner: Gilles Villeneuve - Ferrari
It was a great day at Jarama, on the outskirts of Madrid, because, at the wheel of a Ferrari, he took the sixth and final win of his career with a truly gritty performance.
Behind him came Laffite (Ligier), Watson (McLaren), Reutemann (Williams) and De Angelis (Lotus). They all crossed the line within 1 second and 231 thousandths of each other.
Enzo Ferrari commented, “Villeneuve makes me relive the legend of Nuvolari.” Gilles was at the wheel of the first Ferrari to have a turbocharged engine and this win came off the back of an unexpected victory in Monaco.
Born at Saint Jean sur Richelieu in Canada, on 18 January 1950, he was taken on by Ferrari at the end of 1977 to replace Niki Lauda.
It was a case of Mr. Nobody replacing the Number One, down to a decision taken personally by the Commendatore.
The relationship got off to a shaky start with more than a few crashes. Everything changed after he won his home race in 1978.
Generosity and courage, talent and sportsmanship fuelled the “Villeneuve Fever” that captivated millions of fans.
Gilles died in qualifying at Zolder in Belgium on 8 May 1982. At the time, he was still seething at what he saw as team-mate Didier Pironi's underhand move, when the Frenchman disobeyed team orders at Imola.
His heroic antics are why so many who love pure speed and the risk that comes with it hold him dear to their hearts.
In 2025 Pirelli will hit the 500 F1® Grands Prix mark during the season.
Legacy of Speed series looks back at the fifty most significant Grands Prix from Pirelli's time on the F1 World Championship trail.
