Feature
‘The most strategic race on the calendar’ - Novalak’s ideal event, featuring Mötley Crüe, Drake and Tom Cruise
We hand the reigns over to Clément Novalak, who crafts a brand-new addition to the Formula 3 calendar.
Choosing everything from the country, to the celebrity that he would invite, the Trident driver creates a new race weekend.
WHERE WOULD THE RACE BE HELD?
It has got to be in France. Le Castellet is the only place where I have been able to race in front of French fans, so I am biased in terms of that as a location, but Paris is nice. Somewhere on the outskirts of Paris would be good, but not actually in the city because then it would just be like Monaco.
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HOW WOULD THE TRACK BE LAID OUT?
Half and half would be cool. You have some sections that are a street circuit and are in Paris, and other sections that are a regular track with a lot of overtaking opportunities.
The normal parts of the circuit would be a bit of a cross between Spa and Silverstone. A lot of high-speed sections, with long-straights and then a hairpin or two for overtaking opportunities.
I would take Turns 5, 6 and 7 from Spa, then Maggots and Becketts and Stowe from Silverstone. I would take Eau Rouge as well, but you don’t get hills like that everywhere! I
I would take Swimming Pool, Rascasse and probably Casino Square from Monaco – albeit without the Casinos. Then the Castle section from Baku, where it goes down into a left-hander, that's supposed to be very tricky.
DAY OR NIGHT?
I would hold the race at sunset, similar to Abu Dhabi.
Novalak’s Guest Column: Zandvoort is one of the most spectacular racetracks I've driven on
DRY OR WET?
Paris normally isn't great, but dry weather would be nice for the fans. You also cannot see very well during a wet race, so it would be great if we could stay dry.
TYRE COMPOUND?
The tyres that would degrade the quickest so that we could have a lot of pitstops. This would be the most strategic race on the calendar. The drivers who are better at saving would also benefit. If I got the choice, I’d bring refuelling back for this race as well because it would be cool to watch.
WHICH CELEBRITY WOULD YOU INVITE TO THE RACE?
Mötley Crüe. I recently watch their movie and it was pretty crazy. I’d invite Tom Cruise as well because he’s pretty cool.
WHICH BAND OR ARTIST WOULD PLAY AT THE EVENT?
I am into my rap music, so probably someone like Drake. That’s a pretty mainstream choice, but he’d be very good. I am also into my DJs and really like my house music, but those names wouldn’t be as well-known by the crowd as an actual artist would be.