Formula One World Champion, Indy 500 Winner & Indy Car Series Champion Canadian Jacques Villeneuve won the 1997 Formula One World Championship for the Williams-Renault team, a remarkable feat given that he achieved it in only his second full season of Formula One motor racing, and against arch rival Michael Schumacher. In his first season in Formula One, 1996, he finished 2nd in the World Championship, an astonishing achievement in only first season at the pinnacle of world motor sport.
Winning the ultimate prize in Formula One came after winning the Indy Car series in the United States in 1995, during which he also won the world-famous Indianapolis 500. He is one of only three drivers ever to achieve this ‘triple’, alongside former World Champions Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi.
His Formula One career continued until 2006, including 6 years driving for BAR-Honda which was a team he co-founded and was part-owner. Since when he has competed in a wide range of motor sports series, and remains fully active in Formula One as a commentator for both Italian and French television.
He is further renowned as the son of Gilles Villeneuve, often regarded as one of the most exciting drivers ever to drive for Ferrari’s Formula One team, and whose career was ended by a tragic accident during the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix. Jacques’ achievements were all the more remarkable given this tragedy, and his career further enhanced the fame of the Villeneuve name across Formula One.
