Discussion
Very surprised that no one has posted about this but just to remind all and give the youngster something to think about.
Just read some of the quotes here:
http://www.thescuderia.net/forums/showthread.php/2...
One of my favourites is ' "No, no," he grinned. "I ran out of lock! "
But the best is from Keke:
"Gilles was the hardest b
d I ever raced against, but completely fair."
RIP Gilles
Just read some of the quotes here:
http://www.thescuderia.net/forums/showthread.php/2...
One of my favourites is ' "No, no," he grinned. "I ran out of lock! "
But the best is from Keke:
"Gilles was the hardest b
d I ever raced against, but completely fair." RIP Gilles
Gilles lusted after the top-of-the-line, twelve cylinder Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer and planned to negotiate one in a future contract.
His appetite had been whetted by the Boxer owner Walter Wolf: 'I asked Gilles to take my BB to the Ferrari factory for repairs. But it needed more work when he brought it back!
Gilles always waited until the last minute on his trips to Fiorano. For normal people the trip from Monte Carlo is roughly five hours and if you were really quick you might make it in three and one-half hours. Gilles always did it in two and three-quarter hours. It's no wonder I needed a new car after Gillies took it in a few times for maintenance.'
His appetite had been whetted by the Boxer owner Walter Wolf: 'I asked Gilles to take my BB to the Ferrari factory for repairs. But it needed more work when he brought it back!
Gilles always waited until the last minute on his trips to Fiorano. For normal people the trip from Monte Carlo is roughly five hours and if you were really quick you might make it in three and one-half hours. Gilles always did it in two and three-quarter hours. It's no wonder I needed a new car after Gillies took it in a few times for maintenance.'
viggyp said:
Best driver never to win a championship. He was, and still is my hero.
I think he was the Best driver full stop. Nobody could have acheived the wins he did in the cars he had at his disposal. The T5 and early turbos were sheds and according to Harvey Postlethwaite, the designer at Ferrari in 1982, the car with which he won the '81 Monaco and Spanish Grand Prixs had around a third of the downforce ot the Williams and Mclarens at that time. A driver who deserved the Legend title. Carstudio said:
viggyp said:
Best driver never to win a championship. He was, and still is my hero.
I think he was the Best driver full stop. Nobody could have acheived the wins he did in the cars he had at his disposal. The T5 and early turbos were sheds and according to Harvey Postlethwaite, the designer at Ferrari in 1982, the car with which he won the '81 Monaco and Spanish Grand Prixs had around a third of the downforce ot the Williams and Mclarens at that time. A driver who deserved the Legend title. Carstudio said:
viggyp said:
Best driver never to win a championship. He was, and still is my hero.
I think he was the Best driver full stop. Nobody could have acheived the wins he did in the cars he had at his disposal. The T5 and early turbos were sheds and according to Harvey Postlethwaite, the designer at Ferrari in 1982, the car with which he won the '81 Monaco and Spanish Grand Prixs had around a third of the downforce ot the Williams and Mclarens at that time. A driver who deserved the Legend title. Nowadays he'd have been told off for blocking.
Eric Mc said:
Downforce didn't really count at Monaco and at Jerez that year he used the superior power of the Ferrari to keep ahead of the rest and then blocked them in the turns. He had a train of about six cars behind him for most of the race. They just couldn't get past.
Nowadays he'd have been told off for blocking.
I've never read that before from anyone, including the drivers at the time who couldn't get past. I reckon 'blocking' would have been anathema to him. Nowadays he'd have been told off for blocking.
Eric Mc said:
Downforce didn't really count at Monaco and at Jerez that year he used the superior power of the Ferrari to keep ahead of the rest and then blocked them in the turns. He had a train of about six cars behind him for most of the race. They just couldn't get past.
Nowadays he'd have been told off for blocking.
You mean Jarama I think. As you say, that kind of defensive driving would attract more penalty points than exceeding the variable speed limit on the M25 at Heathrow....Nowadays he'd have been told off for blocking.
heebeegeetee said:
Eric Mc said:
Downforce didn't really count at Monaco and at Jerez that year he used the superior power of the Ferrari to keep ahead of the rest and then blocked them in the turns. He had a train of about six cars behind him for most of the race. They just couldn't get past.
Nowadays he'd have been told off for blocking.
I've never read that before from anyone, including the drivers at the time who couldn't get past. I reckon 'blocking' would have been anathema to him. Nowadays he'd have been told off for blocking.
Eric Mc said:
I used to find his antics extremely frustrating actually. They could be fun - but sometimes he did things that defied sense and you would wonder what on earth he was thinking.
Been looking at some old videos as he was before my time, mainly ballsy overtakes, although his french grand prix with arnoux was scrappier than I was expecting.Could you give some examples? Because as with any driver who is revered the stuff you read or watch has been done by fans so is rather bias.
Thanks
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