Few drivers retain the popularity amongst fans quite like the late Gilles Vileneuve does. Until his untimely death in a crash in 1982, Gilles Villeneuve established himself as one of the most exciting drivers ever to take the race track with displays that bordered on the reckless but never endangered fellow drivers. Born in Quebec, Villeneuve had a definite sense of Gallic flair and he made his F1 debut for the McLaren team in the 1977 British GP in Silverstone having come to notice driving in not only the domestic Canadian scene but also snowmobile racing! However, his Silverstone appearance turned out to be his one and only race for the McLaren team as they released him soon after. Faced with having no drive, Villeneuve was quickly snapped up by the all-conquering Ferrari team. It was to be his one and only move in F1. However, the beginning to his career with the Marenello outfit was far from impressive. In his first seven races he was forced to retire due to accidents on no less than four occasions and he soon gained a reputation as an all-or-nothing racer and that dedication and commitment endeared him to not just the Ferrari-following Tifosi. Appropriately his first GP win came at his home GP at the new Montreal circuit, ironically a track that would later be named after him, in the final race of the 1978 season. It led on to his best F1 season the following year when he won a total of three races as Ferrari roared to the Constructor's Title. However, Villeneuve lost out when it came to the driver's honours, being edged out by his teammate Jody Scheckter by just four points. The disappointment was made all the more acute as Villeneuve struggled through the 1980 season but he bounced back in 1981 with two wins in Monaco and in Jarama despite being plagued for much of the year by repeated mechanical failures. The 1982 season did not start well for Villeneuve with retirements at Kyalami, Jacarepagua and a disqualification at Long Beach. However, at Imola he qualified second and, having battled for the lead, was in first place on the final lap. Villeneuve then slowed thinking the race was won when suddenly his teammate Didier Peroni sneaked past him for the win. Villeneuve was furious at his teammate's actions and many believe he was out to make a point a fortnight later in the fateful Dutch GP at Zolder. During qualifying for the race, Villeneuve was involved in a high-speed collision with Jochen Mass at the entrance to the pit lane. As a result of the crash Villenueve was fatally injured and died later in hospital. His record in the greater scheme of things was by no means extraordinary with only six wins out of 68 races but it was his style and flair which made him popular. His no-nonsense style no doubt contributed to many of his retirements but it ensured his place as Canada's favourite racing son and established him among the true greats of Formula One.