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Q&A with Clive Bowen (Pt.2)
Clive Bowen continues his Q&A with Sam Collins:
Can you tell us a little more about the design of the new circuit at Yvelines?
It has a small footprint; the whole site is just 95 hectares which, by definition, requires a small and tight layout. What we didn’t want to do is have a circuit that was considered too slow. It is going to be around 4.5km and have eleven corners but, true to our normal practice, we are making it a technical challenge by using a combination of sequencing of - and compound radii for - corners, grade change and camber change. We have sought dispensation from the FIA to use greater than the mandated 10% banking for one corner so we can introduce a situation where it should be possible to have cars reliably running side by side through that corner.
In Monaco last year you gave a speech on making race circuits ‘green’, is that actually important for the future?
It is essential, without a shadow of a doubt we need to ensure that what is built is relevant for the age. That’s not just in terms of good sporting entertainment but we also need to ensue that what we do is appropriate for the environment in economic and social terms. Everybody is aware today of the need to have a low carbon footprint, to recycle materials and be more efficient. There are different ways of looking at the notion of environmental sensitivities. For example, when you look at the new Yvelines circuit, one of the key elements of our submission was to ensure that we could encourage people to come by train. So it has a railway service from Paris right next to the circuit. Evidence suggests that there is as much CO2 emitted by the crowds going by car to visit grand prix in a season as the Formula 1 circus emits in that same season. Mass transport can halve the spectator element of a CO2 footprint.
Is it fair to say then that Yvelines could be one of the greenest circuits ever?
This new circuit has to be environmentally sound for a number of reasons. It is the only responsible thing to do in today’s world. The circuit will be next to the River Seine on a site that provides drinking water to the west of Paris and we are required to ensure that the whole project is contained and safe. There is also a case to ensure building design that requires less energy to heat or light and another to use recycled materials in construction. In addition, we are doing things to reduce the amount of energy needed to get people to or from the event.
