I've been with CRG since I was 14, I grew up with them, it's kind of my family! I was not unhappy with CRG when I joined Birel ART. I needed a new challenge in a new team, that's all. I still maintain very good relations with Giancarlo Tinini and the whole CRG team.
Did the 2016 season leave you some regrets?
and I adjusted my goal very early to become a professional karting driver. I think the current system is pushing young people to want to go to cars too quickly. The speeds that can be reached by 14-15 year olds in single-seaters are unreasonable. It is a fashion, but it is not good. It can even be dangerous. It is not surprising to see a lot of accidents. It's not really the fault of the drivers, they're too young, that's all.
I know that it is always very difficult to win because of the many parameters that must be perfectly aligned to achieve victory. It is true that I was able to fight for the KZ2 International Super Cup and for the OK World Championship last year but I could not make it happen. At Kristianstad, I won my Prefinal and I went to the front of the Final before a contact with a team-mate delayed me and I finished at the foot of the podium. In Bahrain, it was a penalty that I didn't deserve which deprived me of 1st place in the Prefinal. I managed to climb 17 positions in the Final to reach the 3rd step of the podium. This causes some regrets ... In racing, the important thing is to show ones level of performance and that this is recognised by important people.
Talk about this new page that opens with Birel ART.
Have you been tempted by car racing? I was invited to do some tests, but I never looked for a car career myself. Of course, when I was very young, I dreamed of becoming a F1 driver like everyone else. But as I grew up, I quickly realised that it was necessary to have unusual means or financial support to achieve this
I am in charge of development for Birel ART and my main category is KZ. The objective is to be competitive enough to participate actively in the conquest of European and world titles. So far I've been driving in KF or OK, although I have had the opportunity to compete occasionally in KZ races. It was not really enough for my taste and I am delighted that the trend is reversed this season. I have a full programme with many races, but also a lot of testing to develop the equipment. I am delighted that my collaboration with Birel ART is ongoing and that we have several projects together. For the engine, I have always maintained good relations with TM Racing, a major player in karting, and especially with Franco Drudi. I am therefore very pleased with my current situation where I will be able to face exciting new challenges.
52