Paul Belmondo – 27 F1 Grand Prix Starts "Straight into the spotlight!"

He was just working as an assistant director and practiced karting as an amateur when he joined Winfield without specific ambition. In 1983, Paul Belmondo was an Elf driver, unaware that he had just taken the first step in a journey that would lead him to Formula One.

Like many enthusiasts of the time, Paul Belmondo discovered Winfield through the press. "I came to karting late," he recalls. "I was 15/16 when I entered the Racing Kart Buffo competition, finishing 2nd. Then I competed in and won the Yamaha Challenge, and participated in a few Inter races, including the Alazard Trophy, before joining the Elf detecting program. Everything I knew about racing came from AUTOhebdo, whose offices were on Rue de Lille, 50 meters from Rue des Saints-Pères, where we lived. It helped me understand the need to do karting, enter a competition, etc. I saw the Winfield ad in AUTOhebdo."

Realizing in 1982 that the Inter category would require different organization and resources, he decided to stop mid-season to go to the racing school. "I understood that Magny-Cours and Paul Ricard were essential steps for a career. I chose the second one because its laureates were more renowned. My career has always progressed in stages: succeed and continue, fail and stop. I started working as an assistant director, ready to pursue that path if racing didn’t work out. So, I wasn’t too stressed during the semifinal. I wanted the final, but doubted I could make it. Once qualified, everything else was a bonus. I was thrilled because I didn’t think I could reach it."

On the big day, a new element appeared: rain! "It reshuffled the deck because no one had driven on wet conditions," explains Paul. "I wasn’t too out of place because I had experience in the Blue S karting class, where rain tires were banned. I felt comfortable right away and was surprised by the grip level. I was fastest using low revs, but they made me go again because Jean Guikas thought he drove on a wetter track. They mainly wanted to avoid the impression that Belmondo’s son had won unfairly. I went again and set the best times again. Now that I was the Elf-Winfield winner, I wanted more. Winning not only meant a season in Formula Renault but also instant exposure. The top drivers and journalists of the time were on the jury. Winning the Elf competition meant significant media exposure."