Didier Clément: “My life is not at all what I imagined”

What is your first automobile memory?

It dates back to 1973. With my father, we went to buy The Team. On the front page, there was the death of François Cevert (October 6. Editor’s note). As I followed the F1, I was 8 years old and my dad talked to me about it as something important.

Were you attracted to technology very early on?

Around 10-12 years old, I started reading Sports car, Exhaust et Self. I knew the drivers, the cars, the rallies… Quickly, I became interested in technology. I remember articles written by Williams Arnaud and Gilles Dupré on this theme. I found it fascinating. When I was not at all old enough, I bought a book called “ Build a race car ". There were a lot of things I didn't understand, but as I reread it, I understood something each time. This motivated me to turn this passion into a career.

Do you still have this book?

Of course ! Its cover is a little damaged.

To satisfy this passion, you could have been a pilot, co-pilot, commissioner…

I really liked Formula 1 and I arrived at rally almost by chance. On the circuit, there is no co-driver, and when you are not the best on your street when you go kart with friends, that portends a difficult career in F1. (Laughs)