Among the drivers selected for the final phases of this fourth edition of the « Volant Euroformula » 2013, one name, spoken of since the 90s, caught our attention: Jules Gounon! Only the first name changes, he is the son of Jean-Marc Gounon, former Formula 1 driver for Minardi and Symtek and whose touch of speed was known and recognised by all. Today it is Jules’ turn to make his mark and attempt to win the “Volant Euroformula” 2013 with the €60,000 award that goes with it. So we went to meet him to find out a bit more.
Jules, tell us about your background in sports and education and/or profession?
My background in sports is rather atypical, I only started in karting in 2010 and by 2011 I had won the French Rotax Championship. After that I had a run of good results with victories notably in the French FFSA GT Championship. I then moved on to the X30 category in 2012 and I won the regional championship to then win the X30 World! This year, I’m taking part in the French F4 Championship which didn’t start too well for me with some mechanical problems but I just got my second wind in the championship this weekend with a triple at Magny Cours! I’m actually in my final year in secondary where I’m taking the BAC Pro in the “espoir du Mans” specialisation, it helps me reconcile racing and studies!
How did you hear about the “Volant Euroformula” and what motivated you to take part?
I’d heard about it through Enzo Guibbert during the GT Tour meeting in Spa. We talked about it together and it made me want to try my luck. I am, of course, very motivated to win the €60,000 bursary awarded to the winner!
How did the qualifiers go and is your accession to the semi-finals a surprise to you?
My qualifiers for the “Volant Euroformula” went relatively well with some good times to go with them. There was a good vibe the whole day with everyone on the Euroformula team! I wasn’t surprised that I qualified as I had planned to from the start!
What are your ambitions for these final phases and your projects for the 2014 season?
My ambition is obviously to win the « Volant Euroformula » 2013, but I don’t like to talk about it beforehand. It’s difficult to put an estimate on my chances in either the semi-final or the final because lots of things can happen in a Volant, so ‘we shall see’ as they say! For the 2014 season my wish is to take part in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and get the best results possible.
As we can see the young and talented Jules Gounon lacks neither ambition nor motivation to put on a show for the final phases of the “Volant Euroformula” 2013 and become a candidate for victory. He will have to watch out though as 11 other drivers who qualified do not see it that way and have some solid arguments to counter him!
