"The sport is more important than anything. More important than any of the people in it. Of course I say what I think. I always have, even if it upsets people like Ecclestone and Balestre. Why should I be afraid of them? The fans aren't here to see politicians and manipulators. They're here to see Alain and Mario and Carlos and me. I am very secure in my feelings about racing. I make a lot of money from it, but one thing I can tell you for sure: if the money disappeared overnight, I would still be in racing, because I love it. The entrepreneurs would be gone."

“Gilles was a totally uncomplicated non-political guy with no hangups whatsoever. He was totally and completely honest. If we were testing .. and the car was rubbish, he'd come in and say 'Look, the car's rubbish … I don't mind driving the car, don't get me wrong, I'll drive it all day .. and I love every minute of it, but I thought that you ought to know the car's rubbish.' … The Old Man loved him for this.”

“I was at home in Monaco that Sunday. A friend of mine called from Zolder and said 'Gilles has had a big accident, and it doesn't look good at all.' So I phoned Joann, and shot up to her place very quickly. From then on it was chaos and disaster. You don't want to think about it.”

“His death signified the passing of a certain approach. He was the last person who had the totally un-inhibited joy of driving a racing car.”

“I know no human being can do miracles but Gilles could really surprise us sometimes.”

“His car control was extraordinary, even compared with the many talented drivers I have had the opportunity to drive against over the years. … Grand Prix car to the absolute limit of its ability.”

“Quite seriously, I've never felt anything like the same about racing ever since. I nearly packed it up.”