Peter Windsor shares the moment F1 legends Gilles Villeneuve and Nigel Mansell became ‘bonded’ as friends

For many Formula 1 fans around the world, Gilles Villeneuve is regarded as one of the greatest drivers to ever race in the sport.

Many people – especially in the modern era – may look at the Canadian’s statistics and question what all the noise is about. After all, he did only win six races and grabbed 13 podiums in his time in the sport as he failed to win a world title.

But after he made his debut with McLaren at Silverstone in 1977, it was clear that Villeneuve had serious potential. That is certainly what Ferrari thought, who signed the Canadian to the team for the final two races of that season before landing a full-time seat the following year.

Villeneuve was hampered at times with the Maranello outfit with uncompetitive machinery and several retirements, but he more than demonstrated his incredible ability behind the wheel with blistering pace and exceptional racecraft.

The Canadian narrowly missed out on the 1979 title to his Ferrari teammate Jody Scheckter after winning three races and securing seven podiums. Unfortunately, Villeneuve was unable to reach the same heights after that season, but he did go on to win two more races in his career.

Both of those victories came at consecutive races in 1981, the first of which came at the historic Monaco Grand Prix. And as F1 journalist Peter Windsor recalls, this marked the first time Villeneuve became ‘bonded’ with another F1 legend.

Gilles Villeneuve and Nigel Mansell became ‘bonded’ as friends after the 1981 Monaco Grand Prix

Heading into the 1981 edition of the Monaco Grand Prix, Villeneuve had endured a disappointing start to the season after retiring in the first three races.

Meanwhile, Nigel Mansell was embarking on his first full season in F1 with Lotus. The Brit came into the race off the back of scoring his maiden podium at the Belgian Grand Prix with third.

Villeneuve won the race in Monaco, while as Windsor recalls, Mansell was ‘unbelievably quick’ as he came home fourth in an uncompetitive car.

Speaking on the Cameron Cc YouTube channel, Windsor shared how that race was the first time that the two drivers became ‘bonded’ as friends in the sport.

“Unlike a lot of the drivers when you go back to the pits after practice or qualifying, and you see the veins popping on the forehead at Monaco and the neck even. And Gilles was just out of the car, totally relaxed, loved it all.

“That was a great race actually for many reasons because Nigel was unbelievably quick as well in the Lotus which was a pretty uncompetitive car even then and he’d just come off of P4 at the Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder.

“And he went to Monaco, everybody thought it was a bit of a fluke, inherited results and whatever. But then he went to Monaco and he was right there.

“And that was the first time Gilles and Nigel became sort of bonded as mates and friends. I think Gilles saw a lot in Nigel and vice versa in one another.”

Nigel Mansell went on to become the 1992 Formula 1 world champion

Just as Villeneuve was beginning to establish himself as a real title contender with Ferrari, the Canadian tragically lost his life at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.

His dear friend Mansell went on to spend the next three years with Lotus before moving to Williams in 1985, where he began to establish himself as a challenger for the title. Mansell missed out on the 1986 and 1987 championships, finishing second in both.

Like Villeneuve, Mansell went on to race for Ferrari in 1989 and 1990 but struggled with unreliable machinery. He returned to Williams in 1991 and the following year, he completely dominated the championship to win his first and only title.

Mansell also won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award twice in 1986 and 1992. In total, he won 31 races and grabbed 32 pole positions and 59 podiums.