On May 8, 1982, Quebec driver Gilles Villeneuve was killed in an accident during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. To commemorate this sad anniversary, Radio-Canada Sports spoke with his friend and former Formula 1 driver, Frenchman Patrick Tambay.
He was a sick man who nevertheless agreed to answer our questions.
Patrick Tambay has been battling Parkinson’s disease for many years.
If his speech is difficult now, his memory is intact.
It is when there are phone calls like yours that the memories come backimmediate response of the 72-year-old man, happy that his friend remembers.
Gilles is a handsome maniac! A good lifestyle. He liked beautiful cars, friends and especially beautiful women, but I shouldn’t tell you that.laughter of the former pilot.
On the track, he’s total. His promise is complete. For his opponents it was a formidable presenceHe added.
” Gilles is always in the fight, 100% in the fight. He did not give up. The head is still a bit hot. Moreover, he would have had better results if he had been more patient. But Gilles and patience did not mix. He also said he knew he was aggressive and sudden at times. This is his way of being. If he had hesitated to attack hard, he would not have been Gilles Villeneuve. “
After the tragedy of Zolder and the loss of his friend Gilles, Écurie Ferrari offered the French driver the chance to pick up Gilles ’car number of 27. The memory of his 1983 victory at the Imola circuit in Italy, a year later of the death of his friend, is still present.
I remember that at first it was a bit difficult to get Gilles ’car, his car, emphasis of the former driver.
At the same time, I remembered the accident. I thought the first laps would be difficult, but I immediately felt his presence, Patrick Tambay recalled. There is always this presence, I am with Gilles. He was also among the crowd, laying banners asking me to avenge him by winning the race. I feel like he is driving with me.
” But I can only tell you one thing. As I was driving the car I discovered Gilles ’immense talent. I haven’t really been able to match its performance and yet it’s the same car. It was Gilles who surpassed himself and the car maker who also surpassed himself. I don’t know if you believe in paranormal phenomena, but I assure you that that day, I wasn’t the one driving this car to bring it to victory. “
While still digging through his memory box, Patrick Tambay also remembered the friend who introduced him to Quebec.
Oh yes, he discovered me in Quebecthe Frenchman ejaculated as if only yesterday and suddenly his youthfulness returned.
After the races, we were a small group of pilots and we went with him into the woods. We crossed the maple groves like crazy, to finally arrive at what you call sugar shacks. Then, we went back to the bullshit in the woodshe added with a smile that says a lot about past trips.
The friendship between the two men would be so great that the French pilot would be the godfather of his son Jacques.
Before leaving, the septuagenarian apologized for his difficult speech due to the illness, but he wanted to answer questions.
” For me, Gilles will remain a legend. Remembering him after 40 years is proof that he still has a place among the great. Gilles is a myth that resists over time. “
A time when even speed has not yet caught up.
Source: Radio-Canada
