Tristan Vautier: “Racing will resume here faster than in Europe”

How is confinement going across the Atlantic?

Here in Florida, I would say it is a little more “loose” than in France from what I can see. Most places where people can gather – like beaches or certain parks – are closed, but people are allowed to go out without many restrictions. We can get some fresh air and play sports as long as we are not in a group of more than ten and we respect the 2 meters of safety distance between everyone.

In terms of stores, the only ones you can physically enter are supermarkets but most other stores are open to pick up orders placed online. Restaurants are open, but only for take-out.

How are you coping with the situation personally, with the rest of your family in France?

I am in regular contact with my family, everyone is doing well. In fact, I haven't been back to Europe since the end of December. With the uncertainties regarding long-haul flight restrictions, I prefer to stay here in case theImsa would resume quickly. And given the trend, I think races will resume here faster than in Europe.

Generally speaking, there is a greater desire among the population to leave again. It must be said that there is also more economic insecurity and that there are not the same support systems in terms of technical unemployment or aid to businesses in difficulty, so the impact felt is different.

As much out of desire as out of need, people are starting to be really impatient to resume normal economic activity, even if it means putting security aside a little. This is why I am quite confident that competitions will resume quite quickly.

Imsa belongs to the Nascar, and as the latter is doing everything to leave as quickly as possible, this will make things easier. According to the latest rumors, it should be good for us at Watkins Glen at the end of June.

How do you spend the time? Do you maintain yourself physically, have you taken up e-racing?

We are lucky to be able to go out without really restrictions, to be in a state where the weather is good, so I have time to do a lot of sport. We see each other from time to time with Sébastien Bourdais to go cycling, I'm in good physical shape! I also started using the simulator a bit; in fact, I've only had one in my home since last fall.

Imsa organized a small virtual championship with races every two weeks. It's a pretty cool challenge, I signed up for it but I try to stay reasonable and not spend my day on it because it's quite addictive, ultimately.

Beyond the desire to resume, is there concern about the economic consequences which are sure to occur after the health crisis?

Of course, there is this fear. I think that this general confinement has already put many teams in difficulty. Motorsport is one of those industries which are the first to suffer from this situation because it is not part of the essential sectors of the economy, like the food industry for example.

Like tourism, sport is one of the first sectors to suffer when the economy suffers and people are worried. We try not to think about it too much, but it's difficult because the field in which we operate will suffer. The real impact will be measured this winter, when people will have to renew their commitment for 2021. We will then have a real idea of ​​the consequences that this epidemic will have had on our sport.