Buemi, Grosjean, Vasseur: they pay tribute to Driot

Sébastien Buemi, e.Dams driver in Formula e since 2014

“In five seasons, you get to know yourself, especially since Jean-Paul didn’t live far from me, in Switzerland. Our relationship went far beyond the professional framework. So I am very touched, and it will create a void in the team that is impossible to fill. He had the strength to know how to surround himself, to delegate, to give you confidence. He let you do your job, but knew how to reframe you as soon as you exceeded the limits. He is perhaps the best boss I have had. He knew what a driver needed and had this ability to put you in the ideal psychological conditions allowing you to ride freely. And it is no coincidence that he brought so many pilots into F1.

You had to see him on a circuit, he fought for his team and didn't give up. When you are a pilot, it increases your motivation tenfold. Everyone on the team, at every level, loved him. Despite his worries, he was still very present and was still on the podium in Bern. He felt things better than anyone. I know that opinions differed on the recruitment of Oliver Rowland at Nissan e.dams. But he was sure of his move and Oliver was the best rookie of the season.

Before arriving in F1, I spent part of my vacation with him in Mauritius. He then told my partner (Jennifer, now his wife. Editor's note) that he regretted never having made me ride and that he would do everything to fix it. Words like we hear every day. But at the end of 2013, when the e.dams-Renault project had just been presented, he came to see me during the FIA ​​gala and said: “You have to drive for me! ". He kept his word. Jean Paul, you made the history of motorsport, but above all you were my friend. I am proud to have run for you and this victory in New York was for you. You will leave a terrible void. Rest in peace my Jipi. »

François Sicard, general director of DAMS

" I'm very emotive. This doesn't just affect my professional life, but my personal life, because Jean-Paul was an inspiration. I met him for the first time at Le Mans. I was a student, and I saw two magnificent F3000 who were driving. I then came across this “character” who, from the outset, seemed very impressive to me, very charismatic. I told myself that it was a great team and that it would be great to be able to work with such a boss one day. I then made my career at Renault Sport, notably having DAMS as a team in the World Series. We bonded.

And then, a little over eight years ago, Jean-Paul called me and told me that he wanted to have someone like me to run DAMS. During the first interview, I told Jean-Paul that I was not sure I would be able to work with him and his very strong, sometimes volcanic personality. But he was very insistent. In the second, he reminded me that he delegated a lot, that he let his teams work and that they were loyal to him. Which turned out to be the case. I then said to myself that DAMS was a magnificent liner and that it was worth getting on board. Well I got it.

With Jean-Paul, we developed a real bond. He trusted me and over the last few years we have been able to build everything we have today with great success in F2, in Formula E, but also in the World Series. This championship was important, because I was leaving Renault and I was keen to win this series which I had been at the origin of and Jean-Paul immediately said banco. He is an extraordinary character, a true leader, an extraordinary competitor, like few others, but extremely respectful of the competitors. He would never criticize other teams, and respected the people in the industry, because he knew how difficult it is to perform there.

We have assembled an exceptional group over the last few years. Jean-Paul has always known how to choose the right people and surround himself well. Jean-Paul was a trainer, not just of pilots. It gave many people the opportunity to get started in motorsport. It’s a whole part of my life. »

Frédéric Vasseur, founder of ART Grand Prix

“He’s a reference, a competitor with whom we fought for 15 years. We got angry very often, but I loved his motivation, because he didn't need the race. He had succeeded elsewhere and was doing it out of passion. We shared a bit of the history of Formula e, going from competitor to partner. It gave me a serious blow. »

Romain Grosjean, ex-DAMS pilot

“He was a man who loved racing, drivers, and understood them. He did much more than we know for French motorsport. “If you’re not happy, I don’t need that to live,” he said. So, politics and dirty tricks weren't his thing. He saved my career at a time when I needed it.

He was there to tell me: “We’re making a win-win deal. In 2011, you come to ride with me, I pay for everything and I want the team to get back to the top.” He was someone I really liked and had some great times with. I'm glad I had lunch with him a while ago to tell him how grateful I was because he allowed me to come back to F1. »

Didier Calmels, former owner of Larrousse-Calmels

“Jean-Paul and I met more than 30 years ago, when he was the coach of Rene Arnoux. When we see the number of titles he has won in car et the number of drivers he brought to F1… With ART GP, DAMS is the reference in single-seaters in France, if not in the world.

What I always liked about him was that he managed his team like a serious business manager and that’s why it has endured. I really regret that he didn't manage to bring it to F1. He had the talent to do it, but didn't want to do things by halves. Discreet, he had passion deep in his heart. »