Villeneuve secured his first triumph with the Italian squad at the inaugural Montreal F1 event in 1978. After his tragic passing at the 1982 Belgian GP, the racing circuit was renamed to commemorate him.
In May of the previous year, Leclerc had the opportunity to drive Villeneuve’s iconic 1979 Ferrari 312T4 at Fiorano, marking the 40th anniversary of the fatal Zolder incident. The specially designed helmet signifies yet another way for the driver from Monaco to pay homage to the Ferrari great.
The helmet’s design was crafted by Adrien Paviot, Leclerc’s regular helmet artist.
“Gilles Villeneuve was an extraordinary driver,” Leclerc shared in a Ferrari video. “He exuded a passion for Ferrari that was immediately visible each time he hit the track. This special helmet for the weekend is inspired by the design Gilles once used.”
Reflecting on his time behind the wheel of Villeneuve’s car, Leclerc expressed that it was an unforgettable experience.
“It was truly special,” he admitted. “The experience was incredible. The cars from that era were remarkably different.
Charles Leclerc’s helmet
Photo by: Ferrari
“As soon as I stepped into the car, it was clear that today’s safety measures are incredible. To have pushed those vehicles to their limits back then, with such limited safety provisions, required immense mental strength.
“The car was not only exciting but also playful, making it a fantastic experience.”
Other drivers debuting special helmets this weekend include Valtteri Bottas, who has chosen a lumberjack theme created by his partner Tiffany Cromwell, and Lance Stroll, who plans to auction off his helmet designed for his home race to aid victims of the recent wildfires in Canada.
Further Reading:
Aston Martin Unveils Significant F1 Upgrades for Canadian GP
Canadian GP: Latest Technical Images from the Montreal Pitlane
Sainz Points to Fundamental Issues in Ferrari’s F1 Problems beyond Tyres
