Philippe Alméras: “We will go to the Red Bull Ring” with the Porsche Supercup

 

We were last Saturday and Sunday at Paul-Ricard, it went pretty well. We were not at full capacity, the days were less busy than usual but there were still 50 to 60 cars on the track, organized in different series. For our part, we had production GT3s, Cups and Supercups. The drivers were happy to get back on the track!

 

 

Wearing masks and – as in all societies – legal displays, respecting social distances, respecting “barrier” gestures, etc. It must be recognized that we practice a sport which allows us to respect the distances of 2 meters between everyone without too much problem; the garages at Paul-Ricard are quite spacious. On the logistics side, the restaurants being closed, we had “lunch boxes”. 

 

 

We do not yet have a clear and precise timetable but we have fixed dates. It is agreed that the first two weekends of July, we will go to Red Bull Ring, for example. We should also have two days of collective testing beforehand.  

 

 

There is a common core with the FFSAGT, so more than half of the calendar is square: Magny-Cours, Paul-Ricard, Le Mans (in support of the 24 Hours. Editor’s note). The rest will be announced soon, but we must in any case forget the Monza round which was planned with the DTM.

 

 

We are already lucky that a 2020 calendar exists. Our events are not canceled, unlike those in other disciplines – such as football or tennis – or those in the events sector, such as the Paris trade show. The federations and promoters have done a good job, this will allow us to save our 2020 financial year which should still be cut by 20-30% in terms of dates... and revenue. But at least it will take place!

 

Economically, the automobile industry is important, motorsport is not negligible either, in terms of financial impact. It was important that it started again for the people who make a living from it. Then, in the medium term, we will have to adapt, between health and safety measures. There will be a different “after”, but at the moment, we are mainly managing the present. On the other hand, for next year, we will have to be attentive. For this season, the contracts were signed and in the same way that the State plays the game by helping the companies, the partners and sponsors of the drivers followed. But what about for 2021? Everything will be reset, we will have to rebuild, without help. You will have to be vigilant and make good choices.