F4 France – Elliott Vayron: “I think I can say that my beginnings are promising”

You are starting this weekend at Magny-Cours the fourth Formula 4 meeting of your life. You have three victories in the last five races. How do you judge your first steps in the car?

I'm very happy, I think it's a good start. Feed Racing helped me a lot in the transition karting-car. The car has a lot more horsepower, weight, aero… everything in fact! It's definitely different, but I got used to it pretty quickly. I think I can say that my beginnings are promising.

Macéo Capietto and Esteban Masson are fighting for the title this weekend. Knowing that you are ineligible for points (he did not take part in the entire championship, editor's note), are you planning to take it easy if you find yourself in the fight?

Even if they play the championship, I play my race! I will obviously remain fair, not act crazy or play into the hands of one or the other. But I'm going to do my race, and if I have to fight hard with them, I will.

You revealed yourself at Monza (September 25-26) by winning both races. Looking back, how do you explain this result when it was only your second F4 meeting?

In the first round I took part in in Hungary, it was difficult to win because the track was technical, with all the turns. But in qualifying, I set the 3rd fastest time, which was canceled due to repeated track limits. As a result, it made me move back on the grid and obviously getting back up with few overtaking opportunities was difficult. But I think I was already top 5 there. Behind, in fact at Monza I won both races. It was my second weekend in F4, and I didn't really know what to expect. To be in front, but maybe not to win, honestly!

Why did you choose motorsport?

I've been a fan of cars in general since I was little. I looked at the F1 at the age of 4, with my father watching for entertainment too. I did a bit of rental karting. He enrolled me in the Kart Racing Academy in 2014, a championship over several rounds. I really liked it so I continued. Then I went through the seasons. I won the Coupe de France in 2016, I finished 6th in the Mondial Rotax in Sarno. Then I competed in the French Junior championship in 2018, where I placed 3rd, and finally 2nd last year.

With his number 46, Elliott Vayron was on the top step of the podium in Italy. © KSP Reports

This year you took part in Feed Racing, how difficult was it to lose by two thousandths behind Robert De Haan?

I won't hide it from you, I was very disappointed. Winning a season in F4 would have been huge, but I take away the positives from this experience. It allowed me to improve and take up the profession. I'm disappointed but that's motorsport. Obviously, my good results behind for my debut in F4 helped me swallow the pill.

Next year, there is a good chance of seeing you in F4 France. You should meet up with some old karting acquaintances…

There will be a level, that’s clear! We'll see who will be there, but with the part of the season I'm having, I think I have a chance of playing up front next year. But obviously, Enzo Peugeot and Alessandro Giusti will be in the mix too, that’s clear. We will see what it gives !

Comments collected by our special correspondent in Magny-Cours.