Villeneuve completes Goodwood run - 27th June 11:16pm GMT

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve stepped back into a Formula One car on Saturday in a special tribute to his late father Gilles.

"It was really great and very special, even if it was short," said the Canadian after driving his father's 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 at the Goodwood 'Festival of Speed' in southern England.

"I never thought I would do this," added the 1997 champion, who is seeking a Formula One comeback after being dropped by BAR last season.

"It's something that you do once in a lifetime, and that's what it will remain. This run was like 'thank you and goodbye' to my Dad."

The Canadian has been notably reluctant to talk about his father in the past but on Saturday he wore a helmet belonging to the Ferrari great, who died in practice for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.

The drive itself lasted a matter of minutes.

"The safety levels aren't exactly the same but it doesn't feel like an old car. I could still imagine racing it," said Villeneuve of the car now owned by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason.