Interview with Ludovic Pezé, founder of Motors Formula Team

October 10, 2018 Gova-Media Ludovic Pezé, Mauritius, Motors Formula Team

Today we’re going at the discovery of Motors Formula Team. The first African International professional motorsports startup and team, based in France and Mauritius. In this interview, founder and Director Ludovic Pezé tells us more about the startup:

Ludovic Pezé, and the creation of “Motors Formula Team”

I’m 26 years old Mauritian born in Monaco. I started Motors Formula Team in 2014 after working at F1 GP Monaco. Then assisting on different roles with some of the drivers who were my friends in Formula Renault and supertourism cars. At that time, there was a lot of talk about developing African Motorsport. Unfortunately, nothing was happening, nobody was doing anything about it, but everybody was talking about it. Then I thought why can’t I be the person to do something about African Motorsport ?

I have a very humble background with a very capital-intensive dream, but that never held me back. I started by sacrificing my little savings to pay 50% of the cost of participation for a few drivers. and they topped the other 50%. Our First Motor Formula Team entry was in 2014 a F4 test at Dijon Prenois, France. We made a lap record of the category and fast top speed, then we made few others tests in prototype. We participated in slalom / drift in Mauritius for 3 years, and touched the dream to participate at Monaco F1 Historic Grand Prix this year in May.

Why can’t I be the person to do something about African Motorsport ?

Every start-up faces challenges, especially the first African International professional motorsports team

I started chasing my dream at a very tender age that posed a lot of challenges for me to gain credibility due to lack of years of experience, compared to my competitors who had been in the sport for years. Moreover, am metis, and that played its role on holding me back from growing the team. It created a lot more obstacles in my journey than opportunities.

As we speak African Drivers are rising everyday, and are up to task to sharpen their skill to greater heights but we totally have no support from African investors, and both private and public sector. That poses a lot of challenges for the team.

Motorsport facilities in Mauritius

We’re currently putting structures in place, and negotiating investments and partnerships with the objective of setting up a couple of Motorsport facilities in Mauritius. This has taken quite some time, and we’re working to conclude by 2019 – 2020, to allow areas of technical and commercial collaborations, with individuals and organizations, all working towards a common goal to develop African motorsport industry.

Competitions to come this year

This year has been great, and Motors Formula Team has featured in a couple of races including this September we had Lucas Urbani participate in the 24hours of Le Mans CIK.

We are preparing for Volkswagen Polo Cup to be hosted in South Africa in October, and will have Jonathan Mogotsi represent MFT in that race. We will also be present for the Western Cape Championship this weekend at Riebeek valley rally in South Africa, represented by Ismaeel Davids the Rallye Man. Austin Zungu will be in Formula M in South Africa.

Our target for the end of 2018 and debut of 2019, is to compete WRC Monte-Carlos in January 2019 in WRC2.

The MFT team preparing for this is composed of Fabrice Pantani (Monegasque pilot), Ismaeel Davids (Rally man from South Africa), Tejas Hirani (surely the only Kenyan driver in professional level – From 2015 – 2018 he has been participating in RX Lites and in 2014 Gulf 1000 Formula Champion).

Our aim is to get as many African Drivers as possible to participate in a full season in GT4 Europe and GT series in South Africa 2019. We’re also looking for funds for Jeremiah Wahome Kenyan driver, to help him reach F1 level in 3-4 years.

Unfortunately this objective will only be viable and sustainable if the African private sector, individual investors, and the respective Governments don’t shy away from investing in the sport and its drivers. These drivers need support in participation fees, preparation towards the championships, and the actual championship.

The future of African racing teams

Motorsport is a lucrative sport unexploited in Africa. Over the years we’ve seen quite some impressive developments, but 90% is in Rallye because of the unique terrain Africa offers. South Africa leads the pool with an added advantage on availability of coaching and racing track facilities, with a keen interest from brands that use the sport for commercial purposes. Rwanda are keen in developing karting, and we hope to see that conversation come to life for a boost in the industry. Quite great feedback to write home about Mozambique in drift, karting and Rallye.

Kenya is doing quite a lot in rally and signed up to host a WRC in 2020. This is as a result of the continuous rally competitions in the country. Kenya hosting WRC will be a boost to a lot of African drivers, and we hope the facility to be invested on ahead of WRC 2020, will be of quality standards, and sustainable for future use and developments.

Lack of skilled personnel, limited investment and standard facilities in the motorsport industry in Africa is wanting, hence this informs the status of the sport. We look to solve this via all the strategic and technical partners we’re bringing on board, on the Motor Formula Team African project in Mauritius.

MFT’s victory at the Circuit Var-au-Luc, in August 2018

The French Cup of Slalom at Circuit du Var au Luc was intense and emotional, but full of a roller coaster of activities. 3 days to the race we lost our racing licence due to a misplacement issue by the post mail service provider. By the time we made it to our hotel, we were so drained on handling the side shows of getting to confirm our participation in the race.

Over the years we had always been the underdogs, and we like it that way when people underestimate us. It allows us to work without too much pressure but rather a hidden built up confidence.

The race kicked off in the morning with a 40°c on the track, we had to strategize and optimize the setup with old tyres for the first run, then the second run pass new tyres. An intense video analysis, and basic telemetry analysis, it indicated we were 2^nd behind CARIFI Dominique. We had to align our team for a stronger and smarter final run, and with all the work put in, Fabrice Pantani won the single seater Formula Renault 2.0 and 7^th overall out of 150 participants.

I shed a tear, I was confused, emotional and delighted that we finally made it to get our first victory in a sanctioned FIA race. When I saw Carifi Dominique’s mechanic hold his head in deception I knew we did it.

This is a dream come true for my team, and Fabrice Pantani have been putting all his years’ of experience in the work to get this win. We were humbled by this win, and couldn’t believe it. We had a partner who ensured we had a unique experience by sponsoring our trip down to Le luc with a Porsche GT3. Simple win simple celebration we turned up some Drake (God’s plan) and drove back to Monaco for pizza.

I shed a tear, I was confused, emotional and delighted that we finally made it to get our first victory in a sanctioned FIA race.

This weekend was everything we have been working for, to show proof that with the right partners and investments we could do so much.

We’re looking to get partners to support the current MFT drivers with technical support while positioning them for viable commercial partnerships and endorsements. We have a keen interest in developing and exposing African drivers, if we get sustainable partnerships both within and outside the continent.

Monaco Historic Grand Prix 2018