Hexis wants to become a reference team

“We now need to confirm and become a benchmark team in international motorsport. » These words, spoken by Clément Mateu, development manager within the Hexis AMR team, clearly show the state of mind of the French team. After concluding the first season of the new FIA GT1 world championship in the most beautiful way, the team based near the Lédenon circuit is already looking towards the future. The results gleaned in 2010 are very satisfactory. But the Gard team aims even higher.

In 2009, the Hexis team took the Team crown in FIA GT3. Proud, the general staff ofAston Martin took the decision in 2010 to entrust Philippe Dumas and his men with two Aston Martin DB9s for the new FIA GT1 world championship. A nice mark of confidence which could, however, be likened to a poisoned chalice. Indeed, for its first season at this level, the French structure must face teams as posh as Vitaphone or Phoenix. But the first opponent, which will serve as a bit of a reference value, is in fact the Young Driver AMR, which has the same two cars and official Aston Martin drivers.

After winning in the qualifying round at Silverstone, Hexis AMR did it again in San Luis in Argentina, before winning the championship round the next day thanks to the No. 9 car of the Makowiecki / Clairay duo. And the triumph in the closing round was completed by the 3rd place of the sister car entrusted to Hirschi / Piccione. Finally, Hexis placed second in the teams championship, and Frédéric Makowiechi finished in 3rd place among the Drivers. In both rankings, Hexis is ahead of young Driver. That is to say…

“I joined the team at the start of 2007, and for the team?s first race in the FIA ​​GT3 European Championship, we took pole at Silverstone, Mako points out. Since then, HEXIS AMR has continued to progress, refining every detail but remaining faithful to its methods. There is a lot of mutual trust. I have rarely encountered such osmosis within a team. This year's result is a little unexpected, but well deserved. We contributed to the overall success of French motorsport this season. »

“Becoming vice-world champions behind the biggest team, Vitaphone Maserati, means a lot to me, continues team manager Philippe Dumas. These moments are priceless. I am proud of the work accomplished. Managing this team requires strong involvement to instill in each member of the group humility, the need to question oneself, and confidence in oneself and in others. Sometimes I can't sleep at night, but I think that explains the team spirit that has developed at HEXIS AMR, and which has allowed us to increase our individual skills tenfold. In San Luis, we were neither more nor less strong than usual. We progressed throughout the season, trying to learn from our mistakes, without reinventing motorsport. We must salute the people at Prodrive, for the help and knowledge they have passed on to us since the magnificent experience of car assembly in Banbury at the start of the year. In this decisive event, we were opportunistic in qualifying and the guys were fantastic during the pitstops. Within 18 points, the equivalent of 2nd place, we could be world champions. We beat teams that can afford to pay their drivers. The problem of budgets is unfortunately part of our daily lives. We can regret that our leading driver has changed teammates too often. Today, we have little certainty about the future. The FIA ​​GT1 World Championship is fabulous, but we didn't see a single line in "L'Equipe" about Vitaphone Racing's world title. Is this normal? I believe that the promoter must develop the notoriety of the championship. »

The French team can be proud of the work accomplished. If the program for next season has not yet been revealed, it is certain that the ambitions should be revised upwards. The year 2010 was very prolific for French motorsport, and Hexis AMR contributed in a very good way.