The historic victory of Gilles Villeneuve at the 1979 South African Grand Prix with the Ferrari 312 T4 is now being celebrated with a special model: here are all the details!
Some moments in Formula 1 remain etched in fans’ memories forever. Iconic victories, where talent and determination merge into an unforgettable race. One such occasion took place at Kyalami in 1979, when Gilles Villeneuve claimed the top step of the podium with his Ferrari 312 T4—his second career victory, following his emotional home win in Montreal.
To commemorate this achievement, Burago has released a special model dedicated to Villeneuve’s Ferrari 312 T4, celebrating one of the most iconic moments of his career and the 1979 season. A similar model was created for Jody Scheckter, honoring his victory at the Monaco GP in the same year.
However, this was the actual debut of the Ferrari 312 T4 on track: before this race, the team had been using the 312 T3.
1979 South African Grand Prix: the race
The “Aviator” started from third place on the grid, with his teammate Jody Scheckter alongside pole-sitter Jean-Pierre Jabouille in the Renault. In just two laps, the Canadian overtook both Jabouille and Scheckter. However, the Frenchman briefly regained the lead on lap 3 before being passed again by both Ferrari drivers.
The race was marked by several technical issues and retirements, with Jabouille’s Renault suffering turbo problems and retiring after just a few laps. Meanwhile, Scheckter and Villeneuve put on a show, with the South African making multiple attempts to overtake Villeneuve, all in vain.
In the second half of the race, the Ferrari 312 T4 dominated the scene, with Villeneuve holding onto the lead despite pressure from his rivals. The race ended with car number 12 taking victory ahead of Jody Scheckter, completing a remarkable Ferrari one-two, with Jean-Pierre Jarier finishing third.
Villeneuve-Ferrari: here’s the model!
To celebrate this historic win, Burago has launched a 1:18 scale model of the Ferrari 312 T4, meticulously crafted to provide collectors with a unique piece.
MODEL – FERRARI, HERE’S THE MODEL OF VILLENEUVE’S VICTORY
The price, designed to be accessible for all fans, is particularly affordable: the model is available for €79.98 on Alba Model’s website, known for its competitive prices and extensive catalog of both modern and classic models.
The die-cast metal model features “high-quality finishes to replicate every detail, carefully painted for maximum accuracy.”
HISTORY – WHY THE FERRARI 312 T4 WAS A KEY PLAYER IN 1979
Photo: F1, Wikipedia
