Jean-Baptiste Dubourg: “The situation could become worrying in the medium term”

How are you experiencing this current period?

We experience it on different levels... First there is the pilot's cap; it's the least important because I'm not a professional, it's not my job and therefore it doesn't have a direct impact. Then there is the situation of DA Racing, for whom the situation could become worrying in the medium term. We have already more than launched our investments in the 2020 European Championship season. rallycross. Our activity is largely based on the provision of sponsors and the rental of steering wheels to drivers – in the French championship in particular – and from an economic point of view, everything that is happening is a very bad operation. We have made cash advances, costs are incurred, and we are therefore a little worried about the consequences. Now, health and reason take precedence over everything.

The DA Racing team is only a branch of the Dubourg Auto family group, how is it organized at this level?

We had anticipated the Monday before the announcement of the lockdown: after seeing what was happening with our Italian friends, and that the epidemic was growing, we sent everyone home for health reasons. After the announcements, we could not put in place the necessary rules to open anyway. Teleworking is impossible, because we welcome the public to the parts store, and processing cars at the auto scrapyard requires a physical presence. The entire company is on technical unemployment, we are still completing the formalities. Dubourg Auto has 80 employees, so we don't take this lightly and we are a little worried because the State is not clear on this part, between those who have the right to open, those who must, etc. Of course, we cannot budget for the unthinkable, and the State must prioritize people's health. But afterwards, we will have to manage the future recovery…

It is difficult to imagine the extent of the consequences for motorsport and its very particular economic plan...

It's exactly that. The State will have to take its responsibilities towards all companies. Motorsport is largely made up of self-employed people and independent service providers, who are bearing the brunt of this sudden cessation of activity. These players in our economy must be even more worried than us. Health is the priority, but the economy is very important. We have confidence in our government. There are reasons to hope, and above all that the current crisis does not last too long for us to start again...