Since 1988, Berthierville, Quebec, has had its museum dedicated to driver Gilles Villeneuve, who died during qualifying for the Belgian GP in 1982. And in front of the museum, a statue of the man who won six Grands Prix in his career. But, during the night from Wednesday to Thursday last, thieves took it.
They didn't go easy, as they simply sawed off the statue's legs at ankle height, leaving only the feet on the concrete base. Entrepreneurs in the region have offered a reward of 12,000 Canadian dollars (7,500 francs) to anyone who finds it.
“I can't understand what such people can have in their heads or even in their hearts, if they have one, to go and steal a monument like that which is still important” reacted the pilot's son , Jacques Villeneuve, who was F1 world champion.
The bronze statue was made in 1985, recalls -. According to the general director of the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum, Alain Bellehumour, this theft had a worldwide impact, particularly in the world of F1 and he received many messages of sympathy. Following this, visitors flocked to the museum. “Whoever participated in this misdeed, I think they are a little stuck in their actions, because everyone knows about it,” said the director. “You don’t touch a historical figure like that without consequences. I would not like to be in the shoes of those who cut off Gilles’ legs.”
