Enzo Ide: “I am very happy with what I have done so far”

Accustomed to long circuits and GT races, Enzo Ide made the bet this year to move to Rallycross full-time. Associated with three-time world champion and defending champion Johan Kristoffersson at EKS JC, the winner of the 2016 Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup is currently in 7th place in a championship that he intends to win in the future. For AUTOhebdo, the Belgian looks back on his start to the season marked by a logical period of learning with the specialists of the Rallycross.

What do you get from your weekend in Lohéac?

I learned a lot. We worked on the car throughout the weekend because the speed wasn't there but neither was I at the start. I wanted to have things that the car couldn't give me so it was my fault. I then started driving the right way and the car accepted it. She then performed superbly in the semi-final, the best of the weekend. Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the final but I'm still learning.

What were your feelings on the track?

I had already driven here in tests. A lot of people think it's an easy trail but that's not the case at all. The gravel part isn't really gravel. They are rather large stones. This track wears the tires a lot so you have to find the right setting in order to arrive with good tires in the semi-final and final since the track eats them up like I've never seen before.

What is your assessment of your start to the season?

On the personal side, I am very happy with what I have done so far. I am new to this sport. There are eight of us (full-time entrants. Editor's note) and the other seven drivers are all capable of winning, whether it is Kevin or Timmy Hansen or even Timo Scheider. They all have a lot of experience. For my part, I'm already happy not to be very far from them or even faster sometimes. I will continue to learn over time. In testing, it's easy to be fast because you're alone. In a race, you are not alone and there is not just one lap. I have to learn to have the same consistency on each lap because the slightest mistake costs several tenths and in Rallycross we cannot afford that.

Interview by Gonzalo Forbes in Lohéac