What memories do you have of karting?
“For me, karting represents a lot of things, I would never have gotten to where I am today if I hadn’t had the opportunity to race in karting. This is where a driver learns the basics and builds his skills. I spent 10 memorable years, first in my country Denmark from the age of 7 in the youth categories. Then, I traveled across Europe to participate in international events. At first, it was in a very basic way with my father in our small structure. On the one hand, it created a strong relationship with my parents and on the other hand it gave me determination, the desire to succeed, to be spotted by an engine manufacturer to benefit from good engines and by a team to secure my future.”
And did it work?
“Yes, several people helped me and gave me the chance to progress ever higher. Peter De Bruijn was the first to support me, I owe him a lot. The VDK Racing team, the CRG and Birel ART factories followed. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Glenn Keyaert for the excellent times spent together on the circuits. If I have to stop racing one day, I think I will come back to karting to work alongside the young drivers. Until then, I hope to practice karting as often as possible, especially with this high-performance set equipped with the new IAME S125. In addition, it seems much more reliable to me than some karts that I have driven in my career. On this Aigues-Vives circuit, I felt that I was not at my best, there are certain reflexes that I have lost over all these years. In karts, you need a certain feeling, instinct, but I’m sure that will come back very quickly, because I intend to drive faster than Jules at the wheel of the IAME S125! ”
What advice would you give to young drivers?
“Today, I have the chance to drive magnificent cars, to travel on circuits with very beautiful infrastructures and to benefit from the comfortable hospitality of the teams. This is what I dreamed of when I was young and I am happy with my current situation, but sometimes I like to return to the simplicity of karting, to the purity of this sport. Today, I meet young drivers who want to get into single-seater racing as quickly as possible. I tell them, “take your time, don’t skip the steps, you have so much to learn in karting: the relationship with the team, the mechanic and the engine manufacturer, the basics of tuning, the combativeness with the incessant duels within the peloton.” Mentally, a kart meeting is very intense, you have to constantly stay focused on your objectives. The simple act of cleaning your kart yourself makes you want to get involved, to understand how it works.”
There are more women today. Do you think you contributed to this momentum?
“I don’t know, I hope! The more women there are in karting at the base of the pyramid, the more there will be at the highest level of motorsport. Once you close the visor and start the engine, there are no more differences between a woman and a man, it’s motivating for all women.”
Profile
Michel Gatting
Born in December 21, 1993 (30 years old) in Denmark
2 times P1 Danish KF-Junior & KF Championship
P3 Belgian Cadet Championship
2 times P2 German KF-Junior & KF Championship
P4 Asia-Pacific KF Championship
Several podiums in WSK Series
P1 Ferrari Challenge Europe
P2 WEC GTE AM World Championship
P1 24 Hours of Spa Gold Cup class
Info IAME France / Photo © Frantz Meyers