The view from his Audi R18 e-tron quattro’s cockpit might now be a familiar one but there was a time when Benoît Tréluyer would sit at school and dream of becoming a racing driver. It’s fair to say that through primary school (6-10 year-olds), college (11-14), grammar school (15-18), the sports school in Le Mans and his baccalaureate, Tréluyer the student learned at a much lower pace to the one he is now accustomed to driving at!
That’s not to say he doesn’t retain fond memories of his school days, one of the reasons he was happy to accept an invitation from Le Beausset’s André Malraux Primary School in the Var region to meet classes CM1 and CM2 last week. The French village will be recognisable to racing fans, located as it is at the foot of Le Castellet hill. And so it was last Thursday (April 4) that, with the help of circuit manager Stéphane Clair, Paul Ricard provided the setting for an audience between the 36-year-old Audi Sport driver and 44 10 and 11-year olds.
Arriving with an array of equipment, the two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner began by showing the pupils his kit, stressing the need for safety when behind the wheel of a racing car. There was also time to talk about the important role motor racing now plays in the development and transfer of green technologies before inviting questions from the floor. Initial nervousness and inhibition soon gave way to curiosity and it wasn’t long before the former student from Alençon in Normandy was delighting in answering their questions.
“To share my experience and passion, but not necessarily that of motorsport, is something I like doing very much,” beamed a delighted Benoît after spending an hour fielding what were often interesting and relevant questions. “When I was a kid people visited my school who made me think and opened my eyes, so if I can now, at some level, engage with youngsters, that will make me the happiest man in the world.”
As a father of six-and-a-half-year-old Jules, Benoît feels the responsibility of instilling the sort of essential values that have a basis in personal interests.
“I like to reinforce the message that it is more important to make one’s passion their work rather than just finding a job that pays the bills. The job that makes you the most money will not necessarily make you the happiest. Personally, I followed my passion and tried to make it my job. Money has always been secondary to me, even though I now enjoy a good income. ‘Be passionate and commit yourself to those interests!’: that’s always the message I am trying to send out. They will guide you and provide an objective. Nine or 10 is a good age to explain this to children. Any later and it’s almost too late.”
With autographs signed and photographs taken time was up for this refreshing respite in both the children’s and Benoît’s busy schedules. “We are living in difficult times with an economic crisis that affects everyone, so being able to dream a little is important,” he concluded as the children file back to their coach. “I had a great time, the children seemed interested and asked a lot of questions. Hopefully they gained as much pleasure from meeting me as I did them. They have my email address and can contact me if they wish. I will be available!”
Happy to have handed over the baton to a future generation, Benoît knows that the route to achieving happiness comes from collective effort, not individual. It’s a situation not all that dissimilar from the world of endurance racing…
Source : Benoît Tréluyer