Parc Jean-Drapeau exhibits Gilles Villeneuve's racing legacy from snowmobile to Formula One

A new exhibition celebrating the life and career of racing legend Gilles Villeneuve opens Thursday at Parc Jean-Drapeau. "Salut Gilles, a Story of Speed in Montreal" traces his journey from early snowmobile racing in rural Quebec through Atlantic racing to international Formula One stardom, and explains why the circuit bearing his name has carried his legacy since 1982.

Created by the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau in partnership with the Fondation Gilles Villeneuve and filmmakers, the exhibition features archival material, photographs, videos, personal testimonies, and artifacts connected to an upcoming film, "Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend," which was shot on the circuit last year.

Visitors follow Villeneuve's career progression through exhibits exploring his early determination and the obstacles he overcame. The exhibition includes reproductions of his racing suits and helmets created for the film—meticulously crafted recreations rather than originals—with additional personal items expected to be added in coming months. Véronique Doucet, executive director of the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau, said the exhibition's location on the circuit itself and its partnership with the Villeneuve family distinguishes it from previous celebrations of his life. For Mélanie Villeneuve, Gilles's daughter and president of the foundation, the exhibition represents years of collaboration and a chance to highlight her father's early years and the determination that shaped him as a driver.