We meet Nathalie Maillet, new director of Spa racetrack

What was your reaction when you were approached for the job selection?

It was a surprise, but I quickly presented a new strategy for the circuit as part of the selection process. What a challenge! This job is an intersection of my two passions, motor racing and architecture, so it suited me perfectly.

It also concerned what has been called the greatest circuit in the world, a mythical track I’ve raced on myself. It’s a prestigious international showcase and contributes to the development of the region. I couldn’t refuse to be part of that.

You were born into a family of racing drivers, yet didn’t get behind the wheel
until you were 33. Why was this?

First of all my studies, and then my professional life, which led me to live in England for a number of years. I come from a family that was already involved in the sport, but it’s a relatively expensive activity, so to begin with my wish of becoming a driver wasn't really considered.

But when I got behind the wheel on my return from England, you couldn’t escape the fact that I was made for it. I met my husband, Franz, who was also in the business, and it followed on from there. That was the beginning of a 10 years careers as a racing driver.

What was your first experience of racing at Francorchamps?

It was an unforgettable experience, of course, and I would still say that even if I wasn’t the director of the circuit! Which driver doesn’t get goose bumps in the steep climb to take the Raidillon or the Bruxelles double bend? This track has seen some incredible races, and the greatest drivers have praised it.

How do you plan to attract a wider audience?

We need to go beyond the limits of the track. I would like it to be a top touristic destination like Bruges, or the Atomium and Manneken Pis in Brussels. Our global strategy is 100% digital, using technology to break down boundaries, turning the track into a tourist trail and a virtual world.

We have a project for digital helmets that will be dispersed all around the track, recounting its almost 100 years of history. It will be possible for everyone to drive a virtual car and to rent the track in real time, or get on board with your favourite driver halfway through a race thanks to an app.

How will you boost the local economy?

The circuit is a showcase for Wallonia. Via the new strategy, we want to participate in the region’s economic redeployment, exporting an image of excellence around the world. It’s necessary to encourage exchange between Wallonia and the rest of the world, and new visitors will boost the local economy and the region.

Motorsport, culture and tourism are at a real crossroads as regards digitalisation, which is the main theme of all our projects. In the coming years, Spa-Francorchamps will become a 100% connected circuit, allowing the public to discover new services and experiences.

There’ll be free wifi throughout the site and an app to present the new services. And we are part of the region’s digital strategy, Digital Wallonia.

Has there been any negative reaction to your appointment, like sexism for
example?

Sexism is not limited to motorsport; it can be there in all professional domains. I don’t think I’ve particularly been a victim in my sector, even if it’s true that it’s essentially a male world. And there are women in responsible positions in the sport, even if there’s still a way to go.

Sexism in sport, like in life generally, is simply an old-fashioned attitude by people who perhaps have difficulty understanding that times have changed. It’s necessary to fight this day by day and in all aspects of life.

Honestly, I have not experienced a sexist reaction to my appointment. But I come from the motorsport world, I’m a driver, I’ve won races. I know what I’m talking about! And I’m also not someone who is going to be affected by this kind of attitude: everyone knows that.