Carpooling C. Contzen: “Back from Imola 1994, no one was working anymore”

The emblematic Director General of Renault Sport in the 1990s accompanied the collection of titles by Williams powered by French V10s. Christian Contzen experienced the joys of working with Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher (with Benetton) Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, but also tragedies, such as the sudden death of Ayrton Senna on May 1, 1994 in Imola (Italy). 

The former boss is remembered for CARhebdo of this terrible period. “An event so difficult to live through, to believe, so surreal that the Renault Sport company was literally paralyzed. Back from Imola, no one was working anymore. Same situation at Williams”, he explains aboard his Renault Megane RS limited series Red Bull RB8.

Christian Contzen will then find a remedy for the illness which afflicts his men: replace the Brazilian's seat with the fastest mustachioed man. “The only shock solution we found to get everyone back on track was to get Nigel MansellHe says. 

Responsible for the process, I will explain the situation to him and negotiate, in Florida, where he has taken up residence since he is competing in the Cart championship. He accepts my proposal and this feedback effectively restarts the Williams-Renault machine. »

What followed was an incredibly popular day of testing in front of the English fans. “It all starts with a private test session at Brands Hatch, where it felt like a Grand Prix as the stands were so full! »

Despite this emergency appeal, the 1992 world champion will firmly support his compatriot Damon Hill towards the Manufacturers' title. “He managed to finish the season 9th in the championship with victory at the Australian Grand Prix. He really revitalized the team. »

Find the Carpooling with Christian Contzen in AUTOhebdo n°2230, still on sale on newsstands and in digital version.