Didier: Dreams and Nightmares

To some he was the true 1982 World Champion; to others he was an arrogant, selfish and ruthless young man out to get what he could no matter what the cost to himself or to others. What was the truth surrounding the events of the race at Imola in 1982?

Did he really ignore Ferrari Team orders to steal the race from Gilles Villeneuve, or was this just media hype?

Why was he so universally disliked and why do most drivers not want to talk about him these days?

Was he really the cold, self serving man he was often described as or was he just highly motivated and misunderstood? Previously undisclosed facts now clearly explain what up until now has been a well kept secret. Didier Pironi was the archetypal racing driver, a woman in every port, wealthy and good looking. He appeared to have it all, but it was never enough. His ambition was to become the first French Formula One World Champion and he was going to do what ever it cost to achieve that result, no matter who he upset on route.