F1 ICONS: Melanie Villeneuve on her father Gilles, the legendary Ferrari racer


Gilles Villeneuve is regarded as one of the fastest drivers in F1 history who missed out on a world title, with the Canadian’s life and career cruelly cut short amid controversy involving Ferrari team mate Didier Pironi. Following the release of the documentary Villeneuve Pironi – Racing’s Untold Tragedy, Gilles’ daughter, Melanie, shares some early memories of her dad, his lasting legacy and how the family plan to honour him moving forward…
I was raised on the tracks with my dad, my mum Joann and my brother Jacques.

Unlock exclusive F1 content and more with F1 Unlocked. Totally free.
Membership gets you closer with:
Curated insider content
Live like an F1 insider with exclusive access and VIP experiences
Member benefits, rewards and offers
Next Up
Related Articles
Tech WeeklyRevisiting the best cars from every decade in F1 history
Permane praises Lawson for how he has bounced back at Racing Bulls
Hamilton shares more about his special Ferrari documents
Wheatley turning pressure ‘into something positive’ for Audi arrival
Half Term Reports 2025How Mercedes’ 2025 season has played out so far
New immersive racing experience F1 Box to open in London