(Miami) Lance Stroll is not the only Quebecer to hit the track at the Miami International Autodrome this weekend. There is also Thomas Nepveu, 18, driving his white and green Porsche. “I never really wanted to go to Formula 1, but being able to race at the same time as them is a good feeling “says the young man.
A blazing sun darts Miami, Saturday noon. Thomas joins us under a big tent in the colors of the Porsche Carrera Cup, a championship in which he races under the colors of the Australian team McElrea Racing. In the background is the Hard Rock Stadium.
The young driver finished qualifying about 45 minutes early. “I finished seventh, it’s my best qualifier of the year, he told us. I am really happy ! »
Nepveu has every reason to be happy so far this weekend. Accompanied by his parents and some of his partners, he experienced his first Formula 1 Grand Prix under the hot Florida sun, in the festive and colorful atmosphere specific to Miami.
PHOTO BOB CHAPMAN, PROVIDED BY MCELREA RACING
Thomas Nepveu took a lap on foot with his team on Thursday
It’s a pretty incredible track, quite different from what I usually do, very fast. It’s a really typical Formula 1 circuit, but for us it’s a bit different track. There are long straight lines.
Thomas Nepveu
“And everything is beautiful around, all the landscapes! he exclaims with a smile. It’s grand. It’s quite impressive. I try to enjoy the track time as much as possible. »
On Friday, he had the opportunity to walk down the pit lane and bump into the Formula 1 drivers. “Just being there and being able to experience all that stuff is really cool,” he hints.
PHOTO BOB CHAPMAN, PROVIDED BY MCELREA RACING
Thomas Nepveu’s car on the Miami track on Friday
Goodbye single-seater
Nepveu, who was introduced to karting at the age of 6 before gaining talent over the years, competed last year in the USF2000 development series, the first step towards his goal of one day racing in the IndyCar Series. . However, he had to change his plans this year.
The single-seater was just a rising funnel. It was more and more difficult financially and there were even fewer places for pilots to ride.
Thomas Nepveu
“There are European drivers who transfer to IndyCar; you have Romain Grosjean, some young people who raced in Formula 2 and who are not able to go to Formula 1, so they go there. It makes it more competitive. »
PHOTO BOB CHAPMAN, PROVIDED BY MCELREA RACING
On the trail in Miami, Friday
The Quebecer, who expresses himself with seriousness and maturity, therefore turned to the Porsche Carrera Cup and the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, two North American championships.
“With a Porsche, the world can no longer identify. It’s a car you see on the road every day. They see themselves more in this kind of race than in a single-seater. There is also more visibility, we hold big events. »
PHOTO SIMON GIROUX, PRESS ARCHIVES
Thomas Nepveu has a long experience of karting. Here on the Mirabel track almost six years ago, in 2017.
Nepveu admits he went through a “little grief” saying goodbye to his goals of one day racing in IndyCar, but he quickly moved on. “I’m not to be pitied at the weekend, I’m driving quite a car! he throws. I think in racing, you have to take the opportunities that come your way. Unfortunately, there really wasn’t any left for me in the world of single-seaters. »
“My goal, in the next five years, would be to go to GTD, GTD Pro,” he adds. I’m not in a hurry, I still have more to learn. »
A busy summer
Thomas Nepveu’s summer promises to be busy. With the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, he will perform in Canada and Quebec (Vallée-Jonction, Trois-Rivières and Mirabel), in front of family and partners, for the first time since 2018.
“I have partners who come to the big races, but not everyone can experience that. Being able to have people coming to Trois-Rivières, for example, will be cool. »
In total, therefore, the next few months boil down to nine weekends aboard a Porsche and 14 weekends in NASCAR. But for now, all his attention is in Miami. Difficult to look elsewhere, with all that is happening there.
A few hours after our interview, Thomas Nepveu took part in his first race of the weekend. He had managed to reach the 4e position, but an incident a few laps from the end caused him to slip to 31e rank. He will have the opportunity to do better on Sunday, during the second race.