At this time of year, Christian is the one-man band of the Yamaha Austria Racing Team, led by Mandy Kainz, YART team manager, as he prepares the bikes of his Austrian team and those of the Sepang Circuit team, then on instead he will be the pit boss of this Yamaha n°21.
When responsibilities rhyme with intense work, while maintaining his sense of humor, as proven by the photo above that Christian chose himself.
First of all, what do you think of the new organization of the 8 Hours of Sepang in mid-December?
“It's a good initiative, but it forces us to work a lot more because we don't have the winter to prepare the motorcycles. We are increasing the hours in the workshop and it is hard to manage. »
“The Championship is much better than before. But there are still the same number of races, there are no more. So it’s a great championship, nothing more. »
The Sepang circuit engages a Yamaha for Franco Morbidelli, Hafizh Syahrin and Michael van der Mark. The YART another R1 for Broc Parkes, Marvin Fritz and Niccolò Canepa. What are the differences between these two cutting-edge Yamahas?
" They are the same. There are just a few modifications to the rear of the frame of the No. 21 which was at Suzuka. But nothing more, everything else is the same. »
These are the two bikes that made the Suzuka 8H?
" Of course. »
Your Yamaha was completely destroyed by the fire at the Bol d'Or. Have you since been able to rebuild it, have it tested and adjusted again?
“No, she ended up at the museum. I reassembled a motorcycle with a different chassis. And on the other hand I made another new one. »
“These are the two motorcycles that went to Sepang to be used by YART. The other two that I prepared for the Sepang Circuit team were with parts that I received from Japan to make two complete motorcycles. »
Do the configuration and weather of the Sepang circuit seem favorable to your Yamaha ?
" Me, I think. In fact we have feedback because Broc (Parkes) is doing the Asian Championship, so he rode at Sepang. On the other hand, the rain and the showers, I don't yet know how we will manage them. We'll see on site. »
After being forced to retire at the Bol d'Or, we will have to work hard to get back into the Championship. Can the Yamaha entered by the Sepang circuit make your task easier by giving up its place at YART (except first, of course) at the end of the race?
" No. »
It's not planned like that?
“Not only is it not planned, but she is entered by the Sepang International Circuit. It was his “Chief Executive Officer” and boss of the Grand Prix team, Razlan Razali, who set up the operation.
“We're at Sepang, with a Malaysian driver, so if it's in front, it stays in front. »
More generally, what makes the difference between YART and other teams?
“The others are only racing teams, like SERT or formerly GMT. They only compete and can spend a week working on the stand to gain half a second at the pit stop.
“At YART, this is not possible because I am alone to prepare the motorcycles. It's becoming a big structure, which works on customer motorcycles, so there are a lot of team members who are taken for customer motorcycles, and I'm all alone putting together the racing motorcycles. »
On the other hand, how do you see the evolution of the World Endurance Championship?
“It would be much better if there were more races. For me, now it's like before except that we're going further, like for example at Sepang. »
“I didn't really understand the Sepang qualifying for Suzuka. I think it's to clean up the small teams. For us on 21, if we break, if we don't finish the race, do we still do Suzuka? As she has won four races, I think she is automatically qualified. But it's a bit vague, actually. »
2019 Pre-Bowl Trials
Video: “A ride with Broc Parkes on YART R1 at the Suzuka 8 Hours”
Video: “Canepa Onboard Yamaha R1 Bol d’Or 2019”
Christian is also an excellent designer, full of humor
Photos © Christian Giglio,
Drawing © Christian Giglio
