What does a slope manager do?

During Grand Prix weekends, the track director works closely with the race director to ensure that the circuit runs smoothly, both in terms of performance and safety. We met André Rey, from the Paul Ricard circuit, who shared his passion for his job with us.

Behind the roar of the 2024 French Grand Prix lies a meticulous choreography of safety protocols, personnel, and logistics that only a handful of specialists truly understand. At the heart of this effort is André Rey, director of the Paul Ricard circuit, whose seven-year tenure has made the Var circuit a benchmark for multidisciplinary events.

André Rey's career in motorsports began behind the wheel, on the circuit he oversees today and in rallying, before turning to teaching at the renowned Winfield racing school in the late 1980s. The school was relaunched in 2017 at Paul Ricard, an initiative that coincided with the circuit's return to the Formula 1 calendar after a 28-year hiatus. For Rey, this rebirth was more than a professional milestone, it was a personal one. “The return of the French Grand Prix ended nearly three decades of nostalgia for the most beautiful F1 circuit in the world,” he recalls. He was present at Le Castellet for the 1990 race, won by Alain Prost, and stood alongside his friend Jean Alesi during the latter's first Grand Prix in 1989. The 2017 event, which marked France's return to top-level motorsport, left an indelible impression on Rey. “My favorite memory is the checkered flag falling on the last car on June 24,” he says, emphasizing the emotional significance of each finish line. Yet the spectacle depends on the less visible work of the track director. Rey explains that his role is to make the circuit and himself available to race directors in all categories (single-seaters, GTs, trucks, motorcycles) to ensure that each discipline runs smoothly. The arrival of the Formula 1 circus last June amplified these responsibilities: he oversaw the installation of new safety barriers, complied with the strict specifications set by Formula 1 Management, and coordinated a team of 500 track and pit marshals, from briefings to daily operations. The Grand Prix was an intense and stressful experience professionally, but seeing the event crowned with success was extremely satisfying,” Rey concludes. As the calendar progresses, the Paul Ricard circuit will host another round of high-speed racing from June 21 to 23, with the same behind-the-scenes precision that keeps the sport moving forward.