26/8/1979

Record updated

Giles Villeneuve was always good value to watch and this day back in 1979 was no exception. The scene was the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

Giles Villeneuve was always good value to watch and this day back in 1979 was no exception. The scene was the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

Giles had qualified the Ferrari 312T4 in sixth place. A crash on the opening lap eliminated Regazzoni and pole sitter René Arnoux. Villeneuve moved up and passed Alan Jones on lap 11 to take the lead. However he spun on lap 47 handing the lead back to Jones. Four laps later his left rear tyre suffered a catastrophic failure. Regaining the track he headed back to the pits with the left rear tyre shredding itself en route.

Eventually the tyre cried enough and broke away taking a number of suspension components with it leaving only enough bits to hold the rear wheel on. Continuing on three wheels with hand aloft waiving at the crowd while the right front also waived somewhat forlornly at the track below, he made it back to the pits and into inevitable retirement.