A life-size statue of Gilles Villeneuve was stolen from outside a museum dedicated to the famous Ferrari driver in his hometown of Berthierville, near Montréal.
Reacting to the theft, the City of Berthierville maintained that Villeneuve’s bronze is “much more than a simple monument,” since it “embodies the heritage and memory of Berthierville.”
“The City of Berthierville wishes to denounce this criminal act (which) not only damages our heritage, but also deprives our community and motorsports fans of a strong symbol of our history,” the city wrote on social media.
Fans and local residents were shocked to learn about the theft, and have already donated up to $12,000 Canadian dollars as a reward for information leading to the successful recovery of the statue.
Legendary Ferrari Driver
Gilles Villeneuve was one of the fastest and most popular Formula 1 drivers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He drove for Ferrari and his daredevil driving style captured the hearts of fans all over the world, especially in Italy and in his native Canada.
When Villeneuve was tragically killed during qualifying for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder, his legend immediately grew, and he is fondly remembered even today, 42 years after his death.
After Villeneuve’s tragic accident at Zolder, it wasn’t long before the Canadian driver was immortalized in the form of a monument at the Zolder Circuit in 1984. In the same year, a bronze statue of the driver by Canadian sculptor Jules Lasalle was inaugurated in Villeneuve’s hometown of Berthierville, an hour north of Montreal. It was put on display in a new park named after the local hero.
Musée Gilles Villeneuve
Four years later in 1988, the Musée Gilles Villeneuve was opened in the city, quickly becoming a pilgrimage for fans of the Ferrari driver and a tourist drawcard for Berthierville. Villeneuve’s widow, Joanna, and his son Jacques (1997 Formula 1 World Champion) made frequent appearances at the museum, along with Jacques Jr (Gilles’ younger brother), who still lives locally.
As the Musée Gilles Villeneuve flourished, it was decided to move Lasalle’s statue from the park to the front of the museum building around ten years ago. From there, it was stolen on October 31, 2024. The legs of the statue were cut, leaving only the racing boots remaining on the concrete pedestal.
