Gilles Villeneuve

This fascinating record of one season of Grand Prix racing is the first ever FOCA review programme and sets the high standard for which these programmes have since been renowned. From the first green light at West Long Beach the season is charged with controversy. The aerodynamic "skirts" have gone and new hydraulic devices are in place. Carbon fibre bodies appear as the F1 cars get re-invented during the winter months.

1979 saw Carlos Reutemann move to partner Mario Andretti at Lotus as Jody Scheckter took his seat at Ferrari. Wolf filled the gap left by Scheckter with James Hunt, and McLaren gave John Watson a drive in place of Hunt. The type 79 ‘wing car’ had offered Lotus a great advantage in aerodynamic grip during the previous season. But for this year, many of the teams had incorporated the technology into their designs. Over the first two races Ligier appeared to have made up the most ground with Jacques Laffite taking the victories. In round 3, Ferrari laid down the team’s intentions, giving the new 312T4 model its successful debut.

Villeneuve Pironi tells the astonishing story of Canadian Formula 1 legend Gilles Villeneuve and French star Didier Pironi, two fearless Ferrari Formula 1 racing drivers, forever torn apart by a historic and hugely controversial moment in time.

Le vrai Jacques Villeneuve

Gilles Villeneuve : à toute vitesse

A program featuring independent documentaries produced in Canada and abroad exploring regional, provincial, national and international perspectives. Through these films, Doc humanité seeks to reveal, share, show and explain the big issues of our time in all spheres of human endeavour and contribute to an improved understanding of Canada’s place in the modern world.