It was on this day back in 1982 that Canadian race car driver tragically lost his life during the Saturday qualifying session of the Grand Prix of Belgium in Zolder.
Near the end of the session, Villeneuve’s Ferrari turbo 126C2 rear ended the March 821-Cosworth driven by Jochen Mass as both cars moved by mistake to the same portion of the race track.
The impact was violent and sent the Ferrari flying in the air. The Italian car hit the ground and disintegrated into pieces. Villeneuve was ejected from the cockpit, still attached to his racing seat and landed hard on the ground, breaking his neck.
Despite having won just six Grands Prix during his Formula 1 career, Villeneuve was undoubtedly one of the most respected, fearless and combative F1 drivers of all time.
Fifteen years later his son Jacques drove his Williams-Renault to the World Championship.
Near the end of the session, Villeneuve’s Ferrari turbo 126C2 rear ended the March 821-Cosworth driven by Jochen Mass as both cars moved by mistake to the same portion of the race track.
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| Photo: WRI2 |
The impact was violent and sent the Ferrari flying in the air. The Italian car hit the ground and disintegrated into pieces. Villeneuve was ejected from the cockpit, still attached to his racing seat and landed hard on the ground, breaking his neck.
Despite having won just six Grands Prix during his Formula 1 career, Villeneuve was undoubtedly one of the most respected, fearless and combative F1 drivers of all time.
Fifteen years later his son Jacques drove his Williams-Renault to the World Championship.
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