David Lapworth: “Sébastien Loeb makes everything he does so easy”

Seeing the photos of our conversation, our readers will not believe that you are the driver of this 4×4 Hunter T1+ from the Dakar; is this your English humor expressing itself?

No ! I promise you, I've pretty much driven every car that's passed through the Prodrive workshops (in Banbury, England). I took care of the burn-in of many models, including this Hunter. I admit, I was driving slower than Seb (Loeb. Editor's note). Moreover, today I have the right to drive in Subarus WRC during historic meetings. It's quite an honor.

We are on the Dakar in Saudi Arabia; a territory that Prodrive had never approached before 2021.

Sometimes I try to count all the time I've spent on a plane, as well as in all the countries I've had the chance to visit in my work. And each time, only one conclusion emerges: “Oh, my God! It's way too much " (Laughs). For example, I think I lived in France for almost two years if you add up the FIA ​​meetings, the rallies and the testing sessions! On the other hand, I never learned French, my apologies…

Please, I'm also sorry for my English pronounced with a French accent, I'll even out. By the way, how was your passion for motorsport born? 

My grandparents emigrated from Newcastle (England), where they worked in the coal mines. I grew up in a town that was economically supported by the car and motorcycle industry, Coventry. (England). At the peak of activity, there were almost one hundred and twenty builders in this region of the Midlands. At school, I was expected to find my place in this environment, like my father. Growing up, I also