Over the coming weeks, we will bring you a series of Q&As with the latest GT Academy champions, starting with European winner Gaetan Paletou. Having overcome competition from across Europe during an intense week at Race Camp, the Frenchman is now back at Silverstone for the Driver Development Programme (DDP).
During the DDP he will be training regularly and racing to collect the required licenses to prepare for the Dubai 24 Hours in January 2015.
How did you prepare for Race Camp?
Gaetan: The main thing is fitness. It was difficult for me because I didn’t do sport two years ago, but before Race Camp I just started going to the gym much more. I really began to push hard when I was doing well in the online qualifiers.
What was your Race Camp strategy?
Gaetan: I didn’t really have any strategy for Race Camp. I just knew from the start that I wanted to be the best French driver. There were 42 people at Race Camp so there is a lot of competition, but I knew I wanted to win but first I had to win my competition. I tried to view it more as fun, but as soon as you get in the car you’re aware of the competition.
What was your favourite part of Race Camp?
Gaetan: The final race is just incredible, and was definitely the highlight of Race Camp. Other than that the day at Bedford was fantastic; we got so much track time and experience of driving amazing different cars on the track.
How has the Driver Development Programme (DDP) gone so far?
Gaetan: It’s as I was expecting so far, we’ve been working hard on the fitness but it’s going well. It’s less intense now than Race Camp because that’s just all about your one chance to win. We’re learning a lot here but we can also enjoy it more because there is less pressure, so we can take the time to enjoy what we’re doing more.
What’s improved most during DDP so far?
Gaetan: Fitness is my biggest improvement so far, I knew before DDP I needed to improve here. But we’ve also learnt more about driving skills and different styles of cars. I have a better feeling of the car now, of the brakes and the tires. I just want to keep learning more about the car and how to manage it, and how I need to adapt my driving for that type of car.
What’s your DDP diet like?
Gaetan: I’m eating healthily but the diet is tough. I’m used to great food, but now we generally eat chicken and rice, but no red meat, whereas in France I was probably having it at least once a day. And of course we drink a lot more water.
What are you looking forward to most?
Gaetan: The GT3 cars definitely, but also our final fitness assessment to see how far we’ve come.
What’s your favourite Nissan?
Gaetan: The first Fairlady and Skylines, but also the 350/370Z
Favourite PlayStation game:
Gaetan: Battlefield and Call of Duty, but mainly GT games. Since the French final I’ve barely had a chance to play PlayStation at all though. But I play with a team in online championships, so we have a big one in November. I played a bit of GT 3 and 4 with friends, but GT5 Prologue was the first one I really got into.
Favourite track in Gran Turismo 6?
Gaetan: Nordschleife or Suzuka – same as in real life
Which circuits are you most looking forward to driving?
Gaetan: I’ve already driven at Nordschleife, but in a Ford KA the first time with 60bhp! We drive at Oulton Park and Cadwell Park in DDP but they’re both great tracks so I’m looking forward to them, but also one day hopefully at Le Mans!
What championship would you choose to race?
Gaetan: V8 Supercars would be my dream. The battles between the drivers are incredible, and that’s my favourite part of racing, competing with other drivers on the track. Even with GP3, it’s great with lots of cars on the track.
Which of the NISMO Athletes has been the best to learn from so far?
Gaetan: For me it is Wolfie because he speaks French. I met him at National Finals so I’ve been able to speak to him sicne then for advice since and we have a good relationship since then.