STORY OF THE DAY: Villeneuve Salvages Points at Home

On 28 September 1980, Gilles Villeneuve finished fifth in the Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal, driving Ferrari 312 T5 number 2. The result gave the home favourite two World Championship points during an exceptionally difficult season for the reigning Constructors’ Champion.

The race required a restart after contact between title rivals Alan Jones and Nelson Piquet triggered a first-lap accident. Piquet later retired, enabling Jones to win and secure the Drivers’ Championship. Didier Pironi crossed the line first but a time penalty for jumping the start dropped him behind Jones and Carlos Reutemann, while Villeneuve advanced to fifth.

The 312 T5 retained Ferrari’s three-litre flat-12 engine and transverse gearbox, but its broad engine compromised the ground-effect tunnels that had become essential. Despite revisions to the successful T-series concept, the car lacked the aerodynamic efficiency needed to challenge the leading Williams and Ligier designs.

Born in Quebec, Villeneuve had established himself as one of Formula One’s most spectacular drivers after joining Ferrari in 1977. He combined fearless commitment with exceptional sensitivity at the limit. Fifth place in Montreal was modest by his standards, yet it reflected his determination to extract a result from an uncompetitive Ferrari before an intensely supportive home crowd.