Carpooling Bertrand Gachot

How did you get your taste for motorsport?

It clicked when I saw Le Mans with Steve McQueen at the cinema. My father was a European civil servant and had no connection with motorsport. I did a little go-karting, but I couldn't because my parents never helped me.

I financed my races by doing odd jobs and canvassing sponsors. There was still someone who reached out to me: François Goldstein, five times world kart champion. A legend ! He took a liking to me, and it was he who made all this possible. He helped me in every way, even financially.

How did Hype Energy come into your life?

It's quite funny, actually. When I was in F1, Hype came to see us to sponsor us. We did not reach an agreement, but I remained in contact with those responsible. When I stopped F1, I asked them to give me distribution for France.

It started like that in 1998. I was a distributor for France, then for Europe. I ended up buying the company at the end of 2000. What I wanted was to own the brand.

And is F1 sponsorship for fun or business?

Both ! I didn't get into it until I could create synergy with everything around F1. Putting a sticker on a car is not enough. You have to be able to exploit. This year we are still going to do things with Force India, Racing Point from now on, but I am changing strategy.

We will try to go more towards young people, but we will keep one foot in F1. It has always been my passion and it has never died down. I know everyone. What I also enjoy is working with the team I was racing for at the time. I still know some of the engineers, that makes me happy.

Le Carpooling complete with Bertrand Gachot can be found in our F1 2019 Guide, available in digital version and on newsstands.