Jacques Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve was a 1997 Formula 1 World Champion who arrived in grand prix racing as one of the most decorated talents ever to make the switch from North American open-wheel racing. The Canadian, son of the beloved Ferrari driver Gilles Villeneuve, won the 1995 CART championship and the Indianapolis 500 in the same year before crossing the Atlantic, bringing a fearless reputation with him.

Villeneuve made an immediate impact, joining Williams in 1996 and taking pole position and very nearly victory on his debut in Australia. He won four races that season to finish runner-up, then clinched the 1997 Drivers' Championship with seven wins after a title-deciding clash with Michael Schumacher at Jerez, where Schumacher's attempt to push him off backfired. He recorded 11 wins, 13 poles and 23 podiums across 165 starts. After Williams' competitiveness faded, he co-founded the ambitious BAR project, later racing for Renault, Sauber and BMW Sauber before leaving the sport in 2006.

One of only a handful of drivers to win both the Indianapolis 500 and the Formula 1 title, Villeneuve carved a unique place in motorsport history, carrying forward a famous family name with a championship of his own.

Villeneuve raced with an aggressive, all-or-nothing commitment, attacking kerbs and corners with a bravery that echoed his father's reputation. Outspoken and individualistic, he was prepared to stand his ground against Schumacher and to back his own judgement on and off the track. As one of very few drivers to win both the Indy 500 and a Formula 1 crown, he occupies a rare and lasting place in the pantheon of world motorsport.