Julien Simon-Chautemps is an experienced race engineer with Alfa Romeo Racing. He has been part of the Sauber F1 team since 2017.
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
Julien has 20 years of experience in the challenging world of motorsport. Of these, he spent 13 years as a successful and hard-working race engineer in Formula 1.
His technical skills are irrefutable and his leadership is honorable. Julien’s team respects him a lot, especially for his cool problem-solving skills. As a determined Frenchman, the engineer gives everything to achieve the best results.
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
He was the voice behind the success of drivers like Romain Grosjean [Lotus F1], Jolyon Palmer [Renault Racing], and more recently the iceman Kimi Raikkonen [Alfa Romeo].
As with anyone involved in the sport, their journey began with an experience that led to the dream. “It’s a fantastic sport that I always wanted to do as a little kid.”
His journey with the sport began as an 8 year old whose father took him to the Monaco GP. “As long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to work as an engineer in Formula 1 … the technical aspects of Formula 1 have always amazed me.”
To make this dream come true, he studied engineering in Paris. To gain experience, a young and hardworking Julien would complete internships worth 2-6 months each year.
As a humble man with humble beginnings, he would clean the wheels of cars; starting at the bottom of the ladder. “A lot of work, sweat and a bit of luck,” brought him to the top where he stands today.
A simple man – he attributes the success of his driver to the whole team, not to himself. “I don’t think the most important thing is to be a technical specialist …
“I have a lot of engineers who cover different things, so I have to know a little bit of everything to understand what everyone is saying to me.”
In Kimi Raikkonen’s ears
The Frenchman describes his job simply: “[is] Controlling the car so that it goes as fast as possible. ”Building the bridge between technology and people is not that easy.
The native Saint-Raphael is probably the only person in the paddock who knows the ice man thoroughly. Julien Simon-Chautemps once stated: “The picture presented by the press does not reflect who he is [Kimi] is.
“After all the GPs, he spends an hour and a half in the factory for a technical debrief … Despite 20 years [now, 21] in Formula 1 he’s still hungry. “
As his radio operator, Julien adds, “The driver is usually told, ‘You do this on this corner, you should do this on this corner, you should do this and so on.
“Kimi is not that enthusiastic about this type of feedback; he is receptive on condition that it makes him faster.”
Kimi’s hilarious radio deals are nothing new to fans, but Julien is experiencing it up close. “His way of reacting to the radio – which TV often sends – may seem dry, but it’s never personal. It’s his way of expressing himself. “
Julien has a special relationship with Kimi. Raikkonen had just returned from his break to join Lotus. Julien celebrated his first victory as Kimi’s performance engineer and remembers the 2012 victory in Abu Dhabi with great awe. He describes the event as the best moment in his F1 career.
Julien Simon-Chautemps values Kimi Raikkonen very much – his silence and his harsh words. That makes him the perfect man on the other side of the radio.
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
Sitting by the pit wall, Julien has led Kimi through some tough races trying to make sure the Finn can show his true potential.
From Lotus to Alfa Romeo, Julien has spent 9 years being friends with Kimi Raikkonen. This mutual understanding has helped Kimi to shine in the Alfa Romeo.
Check out this story: From drunken gala to dry answers: Kimi Raikkonen’s funniest moments
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
The post Who is Kimi Raikkonen’s race engineer at Alfa Romeo F1-Julien Simon-Chautemps? first appeared on monter-une-startup.
