Eric Hélary: “Are people going to leave alone afterwards? »

How does time pass in Toulouse?

Well first of all we must point out that the region is beautiful, that we are in a pavilion with a swimming pool and a garden. So we are not in the worst conditions, but obviously we are thinking of all those who have to live this confinement in apartments. We're lucky, that's for sure. And above all, I have my workshop which is 300 meters away, so I can go there every day to tinker with my cars. It keeps me busy.

For your HCV preparation activity, I believe that you only used freelance service providers today whereas you previously had employees…

Yes, and fortunately because what is happening at the moment is taking us towards an economic fiasco. All “business” activity is stopped, but so are we, and I think for a while. When we are told that there will be no general deconfinement before July; for me this year, it's done.

I may be pessimistic, but there will be no 24 Hours of Le Mans, no Tour Auto, no races possibly before September-October. As a “silver” driver or car preparer for the Tour Auto and the CER, all my activity will be “zero”.

Have you already taken the steps to receive government assistance?

I don't work like that, I've never had help. And since I actually don't have any employees, that's all for my apple. No, at the government level, what is worrying is that you are told something on one day, then two days later it is the opposite.

Whether in our small world of motorsport or from the point of view of society in general, we can therefore have no clear vision. When it comes to communication, they have a problem; the mask affair, to name just one, discredits everything they say afterwards, people no longer believe it.

How do you see the 2020 motorsport season?

I think there will be nothing in 2020. How do you want to organize races, important gatherings before everyone, not just France, but at the European level too, is out of confinement. And it will happen gradually, whether by country, by age groups... How long will it take?

It seems so complicated. We still don't know if we are immune once we catch the virus. Will people go away peacefully afterwards, knowing that?

But it is understandable that the organizers and promoters of the championships cannot sit idly by and give themselves medium-term visions...

Yes, it’s their job, but they are faced with unknowns and are planning calendars with variable dates. They have had to edit and re-edit calendars: certain events already postponed once in July will be postponed again. How are we going to organize so many races in such a short time?

Already at the level of the circuits, even sites which are not usually requested are overwhelmed by requests from series who want to come and race there. Weekends that remain in the fall cannot be extended. And in terms of track marshals and medical staff, people will be needed. This is a question that should not be overlooked!

What about next season?

Will gentlemen drivers – because many things in motorsport only exist thanks to them – still have the desire and the means to spend so much after this thing? I hope so. Perhaps they will be even more demanding.

But perhaps they will also realize that car racing is no longer as vital for them, and above all that they will have lost a lot of money with the crisis caused by this epidemic...