Lots of sacrifices, and, at the end of the straight line, the reward.
Spectators have finally arrived at the French Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend on the Paul-Ricard circuit in Le Castellet (Var).
THEIR Grand Prix.
They are these 15,000 Formula 1 lovers, ready to do anything to satisfy their passion.
It was not, however, a foregone conclusion.
Deprived of the event last year due to the emerging pandemic, these thrill-seekers first believed that the 2021 edition would run without accident, by taking their ticket from the opening last December. The sudden change of date could have embarrassed them, even deprived them of their Christmas present. Impossible. When we love, we are ready to make sacrifices.
Luc and Marc left this Friday from Blotzheim (Haut-Rhin).
They slept in Bandol (Var), before hitting the road again to start their weekend with the 3rd free practice session.
These two crazy motor sports have their eyes shining before their first GP: “It was my friend who gave me this gift, Luc breathes with his Alsatian accent.
I am immensely grateful to him, it's a real treat!
When he learned that the date was brought forward a week, Marc immediately reacted and was able to find another location.
“We had no choice but to adapt.
We are already happy to be there.
It is passion that prevails, there was no question of missing out.
"
In support of French pilots
As for Valérie and Jean-Marc, they came straight from Chartres (Eure-et-Loir) in a motorhome. “The cancellation last year was a very big disappointment,” says Jean-Marc, who is attending his second GP with his wife after that of Barcelona two years ago. We had to cancel the campsite in Aubagne but, fortunately, we had not yet taken our places. A former rally driver, this firefighter is on a rest week from Monday, which suited him well.
Following the change, he had to ask three days of RTT.
Jean-Marc, who has always driven in Mercedes, will encourage Lewis Hamilton, but the preference of this couple married for thirty years goes to French pilots: “Esteban Ocon, because he is near us
(Editor's note: Évreux)
, and Pierre Gasly
(Editor's note: another Normand)
.
And Alpine, too.
Before the shift, I was also expected to drive in an old car of this legendary brand this weekend… ”If all goes well, they will be in Spa (Belgium) on August 29th.
The qualifiers at the same time as Hungary-France
And then there is the group of friends from Brittany, Rennes and Quimper more precisely.
As soon as the ticket office was set up, Nicolas, Corentin, Maël, and Julien did what was necessary.
Well almost: "We took a rental after the announcement of the change, laughs Julien, who measures the luck of the quartet to have found available accommodation.
And we took a car only yesterday at Marseille station.
We are not very organized!
"
For these fans of the Blues, the big problem comes from the qualifications, which take place this Saturday at 3 pm… at the same time as Hungary-France!
"We just miss the least interesting match of our team at the Euro, analyzes Nicolas.
And then with Maël, the change of date does suit us a little.
We will be able to attend the start of the Tour de France in Brest and Landerneau next weekend!
"