Rene Arnoux French racing driver Date of Birth: 04.07.1948 Country: France

1. Biography of René Arnoux
2. Returning to the Formula 1 Track
3. Thoughts on Traction Control
4. Impressed by Modern Ferrari
5. The Future of Ferrari without Schumacher
6. Favorite Driver and Lack of Personalities in F1
7. Making Racing More Exciting
8. Enjoyment in the Progress of the Car
9. The Absence of a French Team in F1

Biography of René Arnoux

René Arnoux is a French racing driver who competed in Formula 1 for 12 seasons from 1978 to 1989. During his career, he won seven Grand Prix races.

Returning to the Formula 1 Track

René Arnoux had the opportunity to drive a few laps in a Ferrari F2002 at the Marlboro Masters event in Zandvoort. When asked about his experience of getting back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, Arnoux described it as "fantastic." He acknowledged that the car was different from those he had driven before, but the feeling of speed and movement remained the same. He found it highly enjoyable to control the car.

Thoughts on Traction Control

When asked about his opinion on traction control, Arnoux expressed his regret that such systems are used in Formula 1. He believed that it would be better to do away with electronics. According to Arnoux, the presence of traction control makes it too easy to drive the car, diminishing the importance of a driver's skills. He felt that managing the car with traction control was too straightforward, and it took away the opportunity for drivers to showcase their abilities.

Impressed by Modern Ferrari

Arnoux was impressed by the incredible efficiency of the brakes in modern Ferraris. He also acknowledged the success and hard work of Ferrari as a team. He mentioned his long-time friendship with Jean Todt, the former team principal of Ferrari, and his admiration for Michael Schumacher, whom he considered a fantastic driver.

The Future of Ferrari without Schumacher

When asked if Ferrari would remain as competitive without Michael Schumacher, Arnoux expressed confidence in Jean Todt's ability to find a good replacement for the German driver. He believed that as long as Todt remained with Ferrari, the team would continue to perform well in races. However, Arnoux was unsure about who among the current rookies could potentially fill Schumacher's shoes.

Favorite Driver and Lack of Personalities in F1

Arnoux revealed his admiration for Kimi Räikkönen's driving skills but noted that the Finnish driver rarely smiled. He believed that drivers should show more emotions in Formula 1, as it would make the championship more interesting for spectators. Arnoux reminisced about a time when he could freely share his thoughts and experiences with fans after practice sessions. He acknowledged that the cautiousness in interviews and actions in Formula 1 was likely due to the presence of a significant amount of money involved in the sport.

Making Racing More Exciting

Arnoux suggested that banning pit stops would make races more thrilling. He argued that it was not enjoyable to see drivers like Michael Schumacher start third or fourth and still win without overtaking. He believed that drivers should start with full fuel tanks, which would bring back the excitement of overtaking. Additionally, Arnoux acknowledged Ferrari's dominance in the championship due to their superior team and stated that changing regulations, such as the number of cylinders in the engine or introducing three-wheeled cars, would not stop Ferrari from winning.

Enjoyment in the Progress of the Car

Arnoux expressed that one of the most enjoyable aspects of his career was the development of the car. He recalled the challenges they faced with the Renault turbo engine initially but eventually winning the championship. The progress made in the car's performance was something special to him.

The Absence of a French Team in F1

When asked about the absence of a French team in Formula 1, Arnoux acknowledged Alain Prost as a fantastic driver but emphasized that being a good driver did not necessarily make one a good team boss. He believed that a driver's focus was always on themselves, while a team boss had to consider everything. Arnoux expressed his desire to own a team but acknowledged that it required a significant amount of money. He believed that, unfortunately, only large car manufacturers had a chance in Formula 1.