Villeneuve Addresses Negative Feedback Over Leclerc’s F1 Helmet Tribute

Charles Leclerc, on Friday, unveiled a helmet tribute featuring the iconic black and red colour palette famously associated with Gilles Villeneuve, a past Ferrari driver and the namesake of the Canadian Grand Prix venue.

However, the revelation took the Villeneuve family by surprise, as neither Leclerc nor his team had sought their permission prior.

After discussions with Gilles’ daughter, Melanie, who manages her late father’s image rights, the matter was resolved, giving Leclerc the go-ahead to wear the tribute helmet from Saturday.

Nonetheless, before the full context of the issue became public, Jacques Villeneuve, a former world champion, was the target of a barrage of social media attacks. He was accused of preventing Leclerc from paying tribute to his father, who tragically lost his life during the qualifiers for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.

Villeneuve used his social media platforms to address this misunderstanding, stating, “I felt compelled to shed some light on the recent incident where a few people felt justified in slandering me and my family over Charles Leclerc using my father’s helmet.”

He expressed regret that the incident was distorted by some media outlets and social media commentators, despite being settled amicably.

“Regrettably, the situation was amplified, causing unwarranted controversy,” he further commented.

Photo by: Ferrari
Charles Leclerc’s Tribute Helmet

After resolving the issue, Leclerc invited the Villeneuve family to the circuit on Saturday, and they took photographs together with the tribute helmet.

Villeneuve elaborated, “We had a sincere conversation where he genuinely expressed regret for the situation. I reassured him that I regarded it as a touching homage and had no personal objections. However, I underscored the need for him to connect with my sister, who manages all matters concerning our father. I also proposed that he invite both my sister and mother to the track to allay any remaining doubts.”

Melanie Villeneuve confirmed on F1 Flow.com on Saturday, “Charles was very understanding. We have no qualms. It’s a lovely tribute.”

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More about Leclerc’s Helmet Tribute

• Charles Leclerc’s F1 Career
• Legacy of Gilles Villeneuve
• History of Ferrari in F1
• Jacques Villeneuve’s F1 Career