(Miami) “I would dream of having a stadium like that, if only for the square footage they have available in total. It’s big here! exclaims François Dumontier with a smile.
The Canadian Grand Prix promoter arrived in Miami on Wednesday evening and will be there until Sunday. We meet him in the team village, built on the grounds of Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. The amphitheater is sunny on this Friday afternoon. All around, in the headquarters of the different teams, we are preparing for the first free practice session. Adjacent to the stadium, the 5.41 km circuit.
Each year, Dumontier goes to seven or eight Grands Prix, selected at strategic times in the season. “There are a lot of people who think I do them all, but no, because I couldn’t work! “, he launches.
PHOTO REBECCA BLACKWELL, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Drivers Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon, Friday at the Miami circuit
Obviously, the one in Miami is a must for the distance (just over 3 hours flight) and because it takes place six weeks before the one in Montreal. Throughout the weekend, Dumontier takes part in meetings with the teams, Formula 1 and the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
“We are six promoters here at the end of the week. We exchange a lot of information,” he explains.
When you travel like that, you are sure to look at everything they do and say to yourself: there might be a good idea that we will bring home. But often the opposite happens. F1 often says to other promoters: “Go see François in Montreal, see what they are doing.”
François Dumontier, promoter of the Canadian Grand Prix
“Last year, we had 12 promoters at our race,” he adds. It’s half the championship. »
As the Canadian Grand Prix has proven its worth a long time ago, Dumontier mainly acts as an adviser to the president of the Miami event, Tyler Epp, which is only in its second edition.
“We met him [jeudi] and he said to us and to the Belgians: “Go around, and if you see something, tell me”, he says.
Improvements
François Dumontier has also been the president of the National Sports Authority (ASN) of Canada since April 2020. “The FIA has an arm in each country. In Canada, I am the president of the ASN, which represents the sporting side,” he explains.
Last year, Formula 1 commissioned him to travel to Miami to see “what was being done” during this first edition and to record his observations in a report.
“They have a great site. It was the first time they dealt with Formula 1, it’s not always easy. The specifications for organizing a Grand Prix are still thick. […] Tyler, my counterpart here, was glad I came. He had perhaps underestimated the magnitude of the thing a little. »
PHOTO REBECCA BLACKWELL, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pilots Carlos Sainz, left, and Charles Leclerc, right, participated in a football drill Thursday hosted by Miami Dolphins players DeShon Elliott and Jaelan Phillips.
Last year, the Miami Grand Prix was criticized operationally for various reasons. “They had hired an American caterer rather than the normal caterer, who does all the Grands Prix, mentions Dumontier in particular. […] On Friday noon, there was no more food! »
This year, the organization has adjusted on different levels, he says. “Already, everything we see is much better. »
This Grand Prix stands out a lot for its atmosphere. There are many activities on campus. There is a beach club, a marina, cable cars, etc. The event represents exactly what Miami is.
“We have a great variety [de Grands Prix], I find, said Dumontier. You have to have all kinds. If it was the same everywhere, it would be boring! You have to find the culture of each country. »
Since 2017
According to Dumontier, such collaboration between the various promoters could not have been possible before 2017, the year in which the Liberty Media group took control of Formula 1. This is where “F1 opened up”, according to 56 year old man.
“Liberty Media brought us all together and said, ‘This is our vision. We are all here, we can talk, exchange things. »
As proof: the promoter of the Grand Prix of Mexico, Federico González, interrupted our conversation for a few seconds to warmly greet Dumontier and the director of communications of the Grand Prix of Canada, Sandrine Garneau. Like what, “the brotherhood of organizers is closer” now.
And his favorite?
When we ask François Dumontier what his favorite Grand Prix is, he smiles, but doesn’t back down. “For the circuit challenge, it’s in Belgium,” he said. It’s a tough circuit. I have already driven it a few years ago. […] If you want to combine the circuit with the city, the Spanish Grand Prix… It’s always a beautiful city, Barcelona, you eat well. It is a whole. But at the same time, if you want something grand, there’s Abu Dhabi. They put I don’t know how much money into it. »