Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette officially designated legendary racing driver Gilles Villeneuve as an official historic figure in Quebec on Friday.
The announcement was made during the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix events in Montreal.
The ceremony took place on Île Sainte-Hélène and at the Montreal Casino on Île-Notre-Dame as fans gathered for the Grand Prix's opening day.
The government granted the status to honor Villeneuve for his pivotal role in Quebec motorsports and Formula 1 history.
Villeneuve won six Grand Prix races during his career.
To mark the designation, authorities will install a commemorative plaque at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, the racetrack that bears his name.
The son of a piano tuner and a seamstress, Villeneuve first gained attention by winning local snowmobile races in Berthierville.
In 1976, he defeated several Formula 1 drivers at a Formula Atlantic race in Trois-Rivières.
He won his first Grand Prix the following year during his first full season with Ferrari on Île Notre-Dame.
Villeneuve died tragically at age 32 during a qualifying race at the Zolder circuit in Belgium in 1982.
"It was a gesture that was necessary and long-awaited and which, fortunately, is seeing the light of day today," said Fréchette, who made the announcement alongside Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe and members of the Villeneuve family.
The Premier emphasized the enduring legacy of the driver nearly 45 years after his passing.
"Nearly 45 years after his departure, Gilles Villeneuve remains a prominent figure in Quebec society and in the history of motor racing.
This designation not only honours his memory and extraordinary courage, but also celebrates the exceptional impact he had on the popularization of Formula 1, and on the influence of Quebec around the world," she said.
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada also attended the announcement to praise the late driver's impact on the city.
"Gilles Villeneuve is one of those figures who goes beyond sport.
Its name is intimately linked to Montreal and the history of the Grand Prix, which thrills our city every year.
As visitors from around the world gather here, this designation and exhibit will allow a new generation to discover the legacy of this great Quebec racing hero," she said.
The mayor further highlighted his symbolic status.
"He wasn't just an exceptional driver — he became a symbol of Quebec passion and excellence," Martinez Ferrada added.
In tandem with the government designation, the Société du Parc Jean-Drapeau and the Gilles Villeneuve Foundation announced a temporary exhibition titled "Salut Gilles: A Story of Speed in Montréal" will open on July 16.
The exhibit will display rare archives, emblematic objects, historic car replicas, and special effects excerpts from the upcoming biographical feature film "Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend," which is scheduled for theatrical release on November 11.
