Alexis VALENTIN, Formula Renault Owner
Good morning,
Thank you for taking the time to visit my website and discover Mercury Silver !
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Through this article, you have the opportunity to learn more about my passion and about Mercury Silver .
Passionate about Formula 1 and car racing, I have been involved in this world for over 30 years.
- 1989-2005: sponsorship and public relations manager within racing teams, sponsors, Grand Prix organizers... in Formula Renault, Formula 3 and Formula 1.
- 2004: creation of the Ecurie VAILLANTE FR2000 and the Volant Michel Vaillant .
- Since 1993: solid experience in organizing numerous single-seater driving courses from Formula Renault to Formula 1.
- 2013-2019: organizer of Road Trips within the Aston Martin Owners Club France .
- Spectator on the circuits with more than 350 races under the clock.
At the end of 2022, the passion for single-seaters won out again as I decided to once again become the owner of a Formula Renault 2.0 , identical to the one I ran in competition in 2004!
Initially, the acquisition of this car was for personal leisure use. After thinking about it, I said to myself that it would be really nice to share this beautiful toy in a friendly spirit with realistic costs.
So, through Mercury Silver, I decided to make my Formula Renault 2.0 available to other driving enthusiasts by offering them the opportunity to drive it during driving courses and trackdays .
The origin of my passion for motorsport
My passion for Formula 1 and motorsport began with reading the adventures of Michel Vaillant . I remember my first album was Mach 1 for Steve Warson .
During 1982, Auto Hebdo became my favorite reading. I was then a fan of Patrick Tambay , driver of Scuderia Ferrari.
After my studies, I began my career in professional motorsport for 15 unforgettable years.
My beginnings in motorsport
In 1989, I had the opportunity to join ELF Compétition . My lucky day. I am very attached to this brand and above all grateful to Daniel Tréma and Christiane Lorey for welcoming me to their team.
I then attended the first races of my life during the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the French F1 Grand Prix on the Paul Ricard Circuit. I finally discovered this fascinating environment.
The following year, I worked for Philippe Gurdjian , organizer of the Formula 1 Grand Prix before joining two prestigious Formula 3 teams ( Formula Project Egineering and WINFIELD ) as manager of sponsorship and public relations.
At WINFIELD, I join Gérard Camilli , a great boss with whom I always enjoy rebuilding the world and for whom, as a kid, I dreamed of working as well as Richard Knight , Mike Knight and Simon de Lautour . Great years and a fantastic team.
Within these teams, I had the chance to experience several magnificent seasons, 3 of which were punctuated by the title of French Formula 3 Champion with Didier Cottaz (Formula Project Engineering) in 1993, Jean-Philippe Belloc (Ecurie ELF-WINFIELD ) in 1994 and Laurent Redon (Ecurie WINFIELD).
Within the WINFIELD Driving School , I was also in charge of organizing "company event" driving courses in Formula Renault on the Nevers/Magny-Cours and Paul Ricard circuits.
Then, I founded my own Formula Renault 2.0 team which would become, with the kind support of Philippe and Jean Graton , the Ecurie VAILLANTE FR2000 responsible for making the competition debut of Steering Wheel Winner Michel Vaillant.
Under the prestigious VAILLANTE colors, we will compete in the 2004 FFSA French Formula Renault Championship. A childhood dream come true... from comics to reality! 
At the end of 2005, I left professional motorsport to turn to heavy goods vehicle technical inspection and then to automobile affinity insurance. Sector in which I still evolve on a daily basis.
In 2018, after a few years of organizing Supercar road trips, I felt the desire to get back into single-seater driving, a hobby that I had abandoned for around ten years.
After several runs in Formula Renault, I had the chance to drive two different Formula 1 cars powered by wonderful and powerful V10s...
Driving in F1 was, for me, an absolutely fantastic experience! Indescribable sensations as driving an F1 (even at a low level) is another world. 
The acquisition of Formula Renault
At the start of 2020, I have the pleasure of helping Laurent Redon create the LRS Formula Club , open to Formula 1 and single-seater owners and of which I am a Member.
I then tell myself that my wife and my daughter never knew me when I worked in motorsport even if they know my passion. This personal reflection was a real trigger in my decision to acquire this car.
During 2022, I told Laurent that I was considering buying a Formula Renault. He tells me that he will soon have one for sale... Trusting him completely, I told him OK without having seen the car or even its history. And There you go... 
Wanting, out of passion, to know the history of this FR2000, I discovered after a few months of research that my car had quite a track record. Indeed, its first driver was Simon Pagenaud who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2019.
The experience of driving a Formula Renault?
Driving a Formula Renault is exceptional for feeling the sensations of a real racing car. There is no compromise. These are cars made for competition and whose sole goal is the best possible performance.
The lightness of the car, the power of the engine, the grip of the tires, the braking... everything is at a higher level.
Each lap of the track is an extraordinary pleasure. No road car, even on a circuit, can give such sensations. 
Driving courses
My goal with these Formula Renault driving courses is to share my passion with other motorsport fans .
It’s usually an unforgettable experience! Seeing the smiles of the drivers coming out of the cars is always a great moment of sharing.
The courses are accessible to everyone, novice or experienced .
The days start with a briefing, a presentation of the car and driving techniques. Then, participants take the wheel and complete a series of laps under the eye of BP JEPS certified instructors.
And having Gentlemen Drivers drive in my car takes on a whole new dimension.
Trackdays and the Gentlemen Drivers Club
“Single-seater” Trackdays are days where motorsport enthusiasts can come and drive on the circuit with their own racing car.
The constraint is therefore to be the owner of a single-seater from Formula 1, F2, GP2, F3, GP3, World Series, A1GP, Formula Renault... It is therefore not a toy that everyone can afford. .
This is why I find the idea of sharing my car with nice enthusiasts during Trackdays great.
When they join the Club, they first go through the driving training box and as soon as their level allows it, they can drive in Trackdays.
The club spirit of Gentlemen Drivers
Being part of the Club , for me, means fair play on the track, the sharing of knowledge, experience and the creation of links between Members.
It's too late to be F1 World Champion, so a few seconds lost on the track won't change our lives. We are here to have fun at the wheel of an extraordinary car and share great Before evenings between drivers .
The Club always prioritizes safety, fun on the track, conviviality and mutual assistance to progress as a driver.
We would always prefer to have a little bit underfoot rather than break the car. Because each lap of the circuit is more profitable for us than being stuck in a gravel trap.
Projects
Ultimately, a second car would not displease me to develop the possibilities of the Club.
“I think about it when I shave” but I have to meet all the conditions before buying another one. I am also thinking of the idea of welcoming other enthusiasts wishing to acquire their own Formula Renault 2.0 to share this adventure .
Immediately, the last Trackday 2023 is scheduled for Sunday October 8 on the Nevers Magny-Cours Grand Prix Circuit. I hope the weather will be favorable to finish this first season of the Club.
In the immediate future, I am preparing for the 2024 season. The VIP Driver Pack will evolve because we always have to offer little new features.
For 2024, I hope to welcome some cool new Members to the Gentlemen Drivers Club. They will be welcome to share our adventure.
The first dates of driving courses in Magny-Cours and Dijon-Prenois are already available. Those of the Trackdays should arrive before the end of the year. Friends (future) Mercury Silver drivers, 2024 is getting ready now!
Furthermore, I also offer fans the opportunity to discover the biggest automobile competitions in VIP with a superb program for the Indy 500 , a legendary race for which I have knowledge of the field and numerous contacts on site.
For 2024, I have also put together a new program around the Daytona 500 in Nascar.
Auto racing in the United States is really very different from what we know in Europe and it's nice if I can help people discover it.
See you soon, for new adventures!
Alexis
