Organizer of the French Grand Prix since 1994, at Le Mans, at Le Castellet then again at Le Mans, Claude Michy and PHA took over an event that no one wanted anymore (there was no GP in France in 1993, after a difficult edition at Magny-Cours in 92) to make it a success, thanks to constant attention to the spectators.
The team changes of Jorge Lorenzo, Maverick Vinales, Andrea Iannone and others shake up the chessboard. Are all these transfers reinvigorating interest in the Grands Prix?
“It is obvious that all these changes can only amplify interest in the discipline. Many expect exceptional things from Vinales at Yamaha, Lorenzo at Ducati can achieve great results or it can be more delicate. Each change in the composition of the teams creates additional interest, and then it will depend on the adaptation of the drivers to their new machines. This is Michelin's second year, everyone now knows these tires well, which worked very well last year. There were nine different winners in 2016, and if it's as good this year, it'll be perfect.
Ducati hits hard with the arrival of Lorenzo, KTM arrives in MotoGP, Aprilia progresses, Triumph will come to Moto2… While European manufacturers are investing more and more, the number of Grands Prix in Asia will increase. Where will the right balance be found?
“Dorna is very careful not to repeat what happened in F1. Countries in South-East Asia are interested in MotoGP, and these are very important places for the business of all brands because motorized two-wheelers are very developed there. There are therefore notions of cause and effect and we can think that this is an opening. But Dorna is very attached to the historically European side of the Grands Prix. This is a fair distribution.
Most grandstand seats are sold at Le Mans for May 21. This is also the case for all VIP seats (the most expensive). Could it be that the Grand Prix of France due to its success is one day sold out?
" No. We are indeed trying to improve comfort for the public and many want a reserved grandstand seat. Each stand has a giant screen. Today, there should only be around fifty seats left in these stands, and there will be none left at the end of this month. For VIP places, we try to find an additional possibility to be able to welcome people who want this type of service in excellent conditions. But it should also be noted that the natural stands are of very good quality at Le Mans, in particular with the giant screens to follow the races. Our goal is always to satisfy the public as best as possible – whatever the ticket each person has – and to offer them the best conditions to attend the show, with walkmans, the free program, parking… everything is included in the tickets. We continue to make efforts to perform well for the public.
What are the roles of your son Philibert and your daughter Victoria within the organization?
“It’s a logical progression. Philibert is more in charge of sales and ticketing, and Victoria is more attached to the communication part and welcoming VIPs. And there are experienced collaborators because it is team work. We are a team like those of the competitors, except that we don't have a motorcycle (laugh).
When you say " I am the last private promoter on the 18 Grands Prix of the current world championship ", What do you mean by that ?
“It’s not me who says that, it’s Dorna. We are the only company that does not have capital from public authorities and that is the creator of major events.
I would like to emphasize the race that we organize with the disabled on the occasion of the GP. It is an international race with 30 drivers, including a dozen paraplegics, while the others have other disabilities, for example upper limbs. I think it's a good way to show that the motorcycle world has a very broad mindset. This passion exists for everyone, disabled or not. It is important for this 2017 edition to support this initiative set up by Stéphane Paulus and the FFM. »
