MEET THE DRIVER – FRANCK PERERA – ORANGE1

FRANCK PERERA
MEET THE DRIVER – ORANGE1

#ORANGE1STARS

Lamborghini Factory Driver since 2019
Toyota F1 Test Driver 2004 – 2006
Toyota Young Program 2000 – 2006

CHAMPION INTERVIEW

PROFILE

NAME: Franck Perera
NATIONALITY: French
BIRTH: 21.03.1984 – Montpellier

PALMARES

• 2020 ADAC GT Masters (Teammate Albert Costa Balboa) 8^th (1 win, 2 podiums)
• Lamborghini Squadra Corse Factory Driver by Emil Frey Racing, GRT Racing, WPI motorsport
• 2019 ADAC GT Masters (Teammate: Rolf Ineichen) 10^th (2 poles, 1 win, 4 podiums)
• Lamborghini Squadra Corse Factory Driver by Orange1 FFF Racing Team & Orange1 Team GRT
• 2018 24 Hours of Daytona Winner with Orange1 Team GRT / Lamborghini Squadra corse
• Lamborghini Squadra Corse Factory Driver by GRT
• 2017 Blancpain Sprint overall 3^rd, Endurance overall 3^rd, overall 2^nd (3 wins, 5 podiums)
• Mercedes by HTP motorsport
• 2016 Blancpain Endurance pro-am overrall 2^nd, 2^nd Spa 24h pro-am (3 poles, 4 podiums), Audi by ISR racing
• 2015 ELMS Champion (2 poles, 3 wins, 4 podiums)
• BMW by TDS racing
• 2014 – 2013 French GT tour 4^th – 1 pole in Blancpain Endurance Porsche by Pro Gt Almeras
• 2008/2009 Superleague Formula 8^th by As Roma, Bordeaux and Flamengo
• 2008 Indycar series & Indylights (2 poles, 1 win, 2 podium) by Conquest racing, AJ Foyt racing, Guthrie racing
• 2007 Champcar Atlantic Vice Champion by Condor racing
• 2006 GP2 – 2^nd Monaco grandprix, 16^th overral by Dams racing
• Toyota F1 test driver, Toyota young program
• 2005 F3 Euroseries 4^th (best opel engine) by Prema power team
• Toyota F1 test driver, Toyota young program
• 2004 F3 Euroseries – rookie champion, 8^th overral. Pole first Barhain F3 grand prix, 4^th Macau grand prix by Prema Power Team
• Toyota F1 test driver, Toyota young program
• 2003 Formule Renault Italian Champion, Marlboro master champion by Prema power team
• Toyota F1 young program
• 2002 Formule Renault 8^th overral by Prema power team
• Toyota F1 young program
• 2001 Karting Super A 4^th world championship by Tonykart
• Toyota F1 young program
• 2000 Karting Super A – vice world champion by Tonykart
• Toyota F1 young test program
• 1999 karting Formula A World Champion by tony kart
• 1998 Karting Junior World Champion by Tony kart
• 1997-1996 karting French Champion
• 1995 Karting 3^rd French championship

CURIOSITY

How do you train?
I play Tennis and I often participate also in some tennis tournaments. I like running, padel, squash, mountain bike, swimming and crossfit.

Favorite Dish?
Steak or fish tartare, a good dish of pasta and Sushi of course!

Movies that excited you the most:
“Le Prènom”, “Les Bronzès font du ski”, are French movies!

Tell us the truth! Were you good in school?
(LOL!) Ehehe I was better in Karting we can say!

Q&A

1. If you weren’t a driver, what would you have liked to become?
   I would have liked to be a professional Tennis Player, I’m really passionate about this sport. Or maybe setting up a Show room coffee & kitchen.

2. A Professional driver during his career should have a plan B? And what about you?
   That’s so true, I think that a driver on its career must give his 100% of potential but at the same time also be aware that all this can end at any moment. So it’s important to be realistic and have a plan B of course. In fact, in addition to open a Show room coffee & kitchen, my idea is to open a “B&B Chalet”, it’s already a few years that I’m working and investing for this project in which I believe a lot. I’m still young, let’s see! Working with Lamborghini is currently my priority.

3. What does it mean for you to be one of the lucky ones in the world to be a Factory Driver for Lamborghini sc?
   I’m really proud that I still had the chance to be a race driver for a manufacturer for the second time, after having spent many years in Toyota as F1 Test Driver followed by a very difficult period for me lasted 2/3 years that has costed me to stop racing, I can say that I’m very very happy and thankful!

4. What advice would you give to young aspiring Factory drivers?
   The first tip I want to give is for sure to work hard and believe in yourself, be always honest and humble. I also think that to work for a manufacturer, a driver should not only be strong and fast but he must be able to understand everything about the car, making it a winning one together with the team. It’s easy to go fast with a Pro teammate! Being a Pro driver means that you have to be prepared to adapt to any situation, respecting the requests of the brand.

5. What do you think about Orange1? What does it mean for you to be Orange1 Ambassador or have Orange1 as a sponsor in your Team?
   I’m so proud to be part of Orange1 group, it means a lot to me. Dealing with such an important company requires a lot of professionalism and honesty. Communication for Orange1 is in top place and a driver must be open on sharing projects. President Armando is someone that I respect a lot and I care about. He is very passionate and lives things with his heart and I hope to do great results again for them!
   
6. Our motto is #WEAREPASSION, do you see passion in ORANGE1?
   As I said before, the passion created by Armando is everywhere! I see it and I feel it, this is why I’m very proud to be part of Orange1’s group.
   
7. When your running team has new Sponsors, are you interested in visiting their website? When you met ORANGE1, were you curious to see what the company produces?
   Actually, I never been so interested about a sponsor, with Orange1 it was all different since day one! I spent a lot of time on track with Armando sharing a lot of thing together, like winning the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2018 with Orange1 Team GRT.. it was also my first race with Lamborghini, it was amazing!!!
   
8. About the Covid-19 situation, what are your fear/feelings about motorsport world?
   It would be too long to say what I think about it, but I’m happy that we had the chance to do our job and carry on the Championships because it’s so important for all team and drivers and who invest on this world. I hope that things will continue like this and I hope also that in 2021 the competitions will reopen to the public as well.
   
9. Three races you would like to win to feel 100% fulfilled and satisfied?
   Obviously the 24 hours of Spa! Then, I will not stop before I have done the 24 hours of Le Mans, it is a goal for me! But also the 24h of Nurburgring, I would like to do long races, I like all the endurance races like Bathurst, Suzuka, etc…
   
10. Is there something you would like to say to Orange1?
    Yes, to continue like this! Passion is the engine of all of us and being linked to a Brand like Lamborghini, will drive Orange1 higher and higher! I wanted to thank Armando for the trust and can’t wait to see you in 2021!