Gilles Villeneuve’s Last F1 Helmet Sold for Over $1 Million

The helmet worn by Gilles Villeneuve during his last Formula 1 race was recently sold for more than $1 million USD (approx. $1.4 million CAD), a first for a driver’s helmet.

This GPA helmet was worn by the legendary Quebec driver during the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Italy. Villeneuve was driving for Ferrari and finished second. That was the final race of his career as he died a few days later following a violent crash at the Belgian Grand Prix at the age of 32.

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The buyer paid $1.25 million USD for the helmet. “History has been made,” said Hall of Fame Collection, the Ontario-based memorabilia company that set up the sale.

Villeneuve’s helmet had been in a private collection for close to 30 years before the sale.

The record-breaking price is a testament to the iconic status of Villeneuve in Quebec and global auto racing history.

“This sale certainly helps celebrate Gilles’ legacy,” Hall of Fame Collection wrote on Facebook.