Patrick Henry: “I experienced the passage between two eras of French rallying”

You have accustomed us to driving with a brand from the PSA group in competition; but this is a competitor!

It's quite funny, because I have never represented Renault en rally. This is a Megane RS purchased in 2013. It is a limited series Red Bull Racing RB8 to celebrate the Drivers’ titles (de Sebastian Vettel. Editor's note) and manufacturers in Formula 1 in 2012. I was hesitant to remove the stickers, but my brother told me, “ You're crazy, that's what makes the car valuable! »

However, your father, Jacques Henry, was deeply stamped with Renault…

Oh ! Yes. He was one of the few independents to beat the factory drivers Alpine with the double title of French Champion in 1974 and 1975. But his slightly “rough” character never allowed him to become an official. Although, that's not what he wanted, he preferred his freedom as a mechanic.

Did your passion for automobiles come from him?

The family garage was attached to the house. In the evening after school, I went to see the cars. I grew up watching rally shows on TV. My parents also took me to the Monaco Grand Prix twice, from Thursday to Sunday. I remember Ayrton Senna, launching at full speed with the Lotus in John Player Special livery (1985 and 1986. Editor’s note). In 1991, I put a VIP pass to good use to get an autograph on my replica helmet that I wore in karting. Some fans thought I was putting Senna's real helmet in my bag. They tried to take it out of my hands! I held on. I used it until a kart accident in Valencia.

Did you first look towards the track rather than the rally?

J’ai effectué huit ans de karting. Je termine entre autres 4<