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Stadie Geoffrey-Guichard, Andouillette and friendly faces: Théophile Nael’s Hometown Tour
Whenever he is not at the racetrack, it is likely that Théophile Nael is back home in Saint-Etienne, training and watching his local football team.
So before heading off for his summer break, we sat down with the Van Amersfoort Racing driver to find out more about the city he calls home.
“I'm from Saint Etienne, a small city in the middle of France. It's a typical city for football, with a historic club and some big footballers played there and developed there.
“Unfortunately, it's not by the sea, but we have some mountains, so we can go skiing, we can do a lot of cycling, and during summer it's usually very hot, but during the winter it's very cold as well.
“But I was born there and I am always saying that my city is where I'd prefer to be.
“The typical food from there is Andouillette, it's like sausage, a typical sausage from there, it's very good.
“So now it's summertime, so my friends and I will do a lot of sports, like padel, football, and we can go swimming as well. There is like a lake next to Saint Etienne, which is quite nice.
“You can do a bit of everything to be honest. Many people think that Saint Etienne is not that good but trust me we have everything.
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“I learned to kart also in Saint Etienne, it's in Villars. I started racing there.
“I'd say it's quite a big city, smaller than Lyon, which is just next to Saint Etienne, but it's quite big. There are more things to do outside of the city than inside, more activities, but still, it's good.
“I used to hike a lot, but now I am being safer because I am racing, but cycling, running that's mainly what I do. When I am not racing, I am always there, always training there, getting ready for the season.
“I think people should visit the city, and when you do you have to go to the stadium, you have to go and watch a football match, especially if we are playing against Paris. The atmosphere is one of the best in France.
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“I go there often, every time I am there I am going to the stadium. In the past, we've had some good players, William Saliba, Wesley Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Many great players.
“I love the people from there, we are all very cool with each other, very familiar, it's very friendly. Passing the time with friends is always super nice, and everyone there is always smiling and happy.”