What were your first impressions when returning to Aigues-Vives to go karting?
“I remember this circuit very well, which I really like. During my last year in karting, I competed here in the 2nd and final event of the IAME X30 Europa Challenge. I finished 2nd in Mariembourg in Belgium and I got on the 3rd step of the podium in Aigues-Vives. But the Belgian Kenny Vermeylen finished just in front of me and snatched the title from me by just one point. I took my revenge by winning the IAME International Final in Lyon a few months later. That was almost 12 years ago and a lot has changed for me since then. Coming back here near Lavelanet with an IAME engine and a Formula K chassis imported by Action Karting is a bit of a return to basics, because I started at the national level with a kart in the colors of the Lyon professional and I participated in my last race with an IAME engine.”
What do you remember about karting?
“Overall, only good memories! I insisted a lot to my father about running, because he was not particularly in favor of it. So I started late at 14, so I tried to have as much fun as possible, without putting pressure on myself. It worked quite well, since I managed to build up a nice national and international track record in just a few seasons. However, the beginnings were chaotic. We often left a day later than everyone else with my father and a small van to transport the kart. We set up our little tent and my father did the mechanics. It wasn’t really his specialty, I didn’t necessarily have the best equipment in my hands.”
Despite everything, you got there…
“We had to structure ourselves more to start getting results, but there are still some fabulous moments engraved in my memory. I admit that I am quite proud to be in the position that I am in today, after having started in karting in such a simple way. At least it increased my desire to catch up with my opponents in terms of experience. This desire to succeed made me angry. To achieve the goals you set for yourself, you must constantly be at 100%! I think it’s important that a driver is driven by his own motivation and not by that of his parents.”
What aspects of karting have served you the most for your motorsport career?
“On the one hand, it was beneficial for my personal development. Karting is the school of life. When you’re young, you have a lot of fun in a paddock, there are intense moments of sharing with your friends, your family. For me, all this mattered much more than evolving in a large structure. A sausage sandwich in the circuit cafeteria is also karting! To answer the question more conscientiously, I would say that the main things to learn in karts remain the management of emotions, the way of structuring a race meeting or even the fact of developing your combativeness to gain the slightest place in the peloton and go seek victory.”
Where did this desire to reconnect with the sensations of karting come from?
“I have to drive quite physical cars, like this season the Alpine Hypercar which will compete in the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Practicing karting at the same time will perfectly complement my preparation, which is why I wanted to acquire a sufficiently powerful and efficient kart. The IAME S125 impressed me and I think it fully meets my requirements. Even though I have a very busy schedule, I will try to ride as often as possible here and in Spain at El Pla, because I live in Andorra. With Michelle, we will motivate each other…”
Profile
Jules Gounon
Born in December 31, 1994 (29 years old) in France
P1 Kart Mag Prem’s National Trophy
P2 Challenge Rotax France Nationale
P4 French FFSA National Championship
P2 Challenge Europa IAME-X30 Senior
P3 NSK X30 Senior
P1 International Final IAME-X30 Senior
Factory driver for Audi Sport, Bentley Motorsport then Mercedes-AMG and Alpine
2 times P1 in the 24 Hours of Spa
P1 24 Hours of Daytona GT PRO
3 times P1 12 Hours of Bathurst
P1 ADAC GT Masters
2 times P1 GT World Challenge Endurance
P1 IMSA GT PRO Endurance Cup
P2 French F4 Championship
Info IAME France / Photo © Frantz Meyers