Y. Dalmas: “Would a French GP behind closed doors have been satisfactory? »

The 2020 French GP will not take place. How do you welcome this decision?

You just had to listen to the government, see the restrictions put in place, to know that it was going to be complicated. Personally, I wasn't very optimistic. Today, I am obviously disappointed, but would having him argue behind closed doors have been satisfactory? I'm not sure of it. In front of their TV, will fans from all over the world really find what they're looking for? Without the fervor of the public in the stands, I don't really know. She is also part of the show. 

Are you more optimistic about 24 Hours of Le Mans ? Are they protected by their date in September? 
We must salute the work of the ACO – as we must salute all the efforts of the GIP Grand Prix de France to save the event – ​​which holds meetings to try to find the right answers. A date in September was decided without delay but I think we will have to wait a little longer to see if the conditions will really be met.

Le Mans attracts more than 250.000 spectators and there are phenomenal logistics to put in place. If we are still faced with this virus, and there is no indication that we will not be, the measures that will have to be put in place will be very complex given the nature of the ordeal.  

Are you worried about motorsport?
I hope that this will lead him to rethink himself and opt for a less expensive economic model. Whatever some say about motorsport, motorsport in general continues to arouse great enthusiasm. Those who love this sport today will be there to support it tomorrow, but it is high time to think about sustainable solutions.

Even before this covid-19, the situation of the F1 was not healthy. When I was racing, there were 26 cars on the grid, and that there are twenty today is almost a miracle. Hasn't the time come for the biggest structures to help the weakest by offering their car or their support?

Dans le monde de l’endurance que je connais mieux où nous avions beaucoup de constructeurs impliqués avant qu’ils ne partent un à un au point de laisser Toyota bien seul, ne serait-il pas temps que les usines mettent plus de voitures en piste en les confiants à des teams privés ou semi-privés ? La nouvelle réglementation a déjà figé tout un tas de choses pour rendre la discipline plus accessible, et ça va dans le bon sens. 

Is the question today: adapt or die? 
The word is a bit strong, but no doubt it is also necessary to strike people's minds. We urgently need to start thinking and analyzing in order to bounce back. Motorsport must once again become accessible to as many people as possible from the top to the bottom of the ladder. Also, and I have defended this position for a long time, we must put the pilots at the center of the debate.

The best will always be ahead regardless of the technologies used, but we must make them less dependent on them. Please note, I am a fervent supporter of new technologies that motorsport – in particular WEC – must support and help develop, but it must no longer be to the detriment of the fight in the race. I believe that this idea was already gaining ground before this health crisis and I hope that the movement will accelerate afterwards.