A unique feature of the Spa event is that there is a day between the collective tests on Wednesday and the start of the race weekend on Friday with the official tests.
“You might think it’s a day off for the staff, but the reality is quite different. At IDEC SPORT, we actually call it a half-day off,” says Stéphanie (D’Aprigny), logistics coordinator. “For my part, I take advantage of this interlude to prepare for the next meeting, in this case Silverstone, and to fine-tune the storage and logistics of the equipment in conjunction with the truck drivers, Loris Chagny and Dominique Noël, and the crew manager, Didier Vincent. Sometimes there is very little time between two meetings when we return to the workshop. So this Thursday is very useful and also conducive to networking in the paddock. “
As for Didier Vincent, in addition to anticipating the next race, his role is to keep track of everything that happens around the team: “I help out with the mechanics as well as the logistics. I make sure that everything is working properly on site: motorhome, equipment, catering, etc.”
On the technical side, the day is no less demanding. As Nicolas Drouelle, chief engineer on the #28 car, explains, “We are taking advantage of these extra 24 hours to analyze in even greater depth all the data collected during yesterday’s collective tests. “ Paul Nicolli, car manager for #28, and Jérémy Valbon on #18 are organizing all the tasks to be carried out with their respective teams. The goal, when there are no breakdowns or engine changes, is to get the prototypes back into perfect condition: ”We check that everything is tightened properly and adjust the setup according to the engineers’ instructions. Each mechanic performs a specific task according to a to-do list that we have drawn up. There is one mechanic for the front axle, one for the rear axle, another for the engine, and a final one dedicated to the gearbox and fuel tank. Mechanics known as “satellites” work on the brakes and measuring the board. And if one of us needs a hand, we always help each other out.“
Damien Deledda and Dylan Loof are specifically responsible for the bodywork. “We make sure that no composite parts are damaged or broken, such as the front blade, flat bottom, or hull. Usually, when collective testing follows the race, we first use new parts that have already been prepared at the Signes workshop. Thanks to this day, we can anticipate and repair in our remote, dedicated workshop.“
Similarly, Noël Cullerier, who is also a tyre man during the races, checks all the bodywork parts with Nicolas Leblanc and Miguel Lorenzo: ”If changes are made, we re-equip the parts to match the previous ones. We make sure there are no anomalies. If we detect any, we send the parts directly to the plastics engineers. If everything is fine, we clean them and make them available to the mechanics.” As for the tires, Paolo Giraldii prepares the sets of tires allocated for the first free practice sessions on Friday.
This will be followed by technical and administrative checks for the team and drivers, as well as the traditional Team Managers & Drivers briefing.
A real hive of activity, perfectly organized, always working hard to achieve the best possible result every race Sunday… and… always in good spirits.
