Page 14 - Monaco Economy 122

L LEADER

Michel Boeri Interview by Milena Radoman

“Succession is prepared more easily from the inside”

Photos provided by ACM
Michel Boeri is this year celebrating 50 years of presidency heading up the Automobile Club de

Monaco. Here, he opens up about key moments, epic battles and current negotiations, as well as
his vision of the future of the Grand Prix and his successor. According to him, “The hot-shot who

comes in with no experience of the ACM's multiple activities would be a huge risk for the continuity
of the club at the highest level.”

How did your passion for car racing come not at all keen at that time to apply for the Did that start a new era for the Monaco
about? From childhood? presidency of the ACM as I was a young Grand Prix?
I started with a pedal car and then, as I got lawyer, I was concentrated on developing my A new era thanks to my whole team, because
older, I continued with cars that run on petrol law firm. At the end of the audience, I declined without a team nothing can be done! Many
[he smiles]…More seriously, I had no particular his proposal, thanking him for the honour. As elements came into play. Quite honestly, my
vocation to manage automobile races or an I went to the door, he called out to me and I predecessors did not have the necessary
automobile club but I chaired the Monaco team turned around. He asked me if I knew how to budgets that I later obtained from the
with success and, at the time, the Automobile drive and I answered him, "Of course, Sir.” He government. Before our time, everything
Club de Monaco (ACM) was not in great said to me, "That will be enough,” and that's was very centralised under the authority of
shape. On the advice of trusted personalities, how it all started. I then started the procedure my predecessor, President Fissore, then a
Prince Rainier then approached me to become of getting elected by the board of directors – government minister, and Mr. Claude Fin and
President of the Automobile Club. and it was not a mere formality ! Mr. Jacques Taffe, general commissioners.
We then, with the thoughtlessness of new
How were you approached by Prince Rainier 1972 was the first Grand Prix for the new beginners, proceeded to put in place our big
to head up the ACM? ACM team. How was that for you? bang. Little by little, without creating waves,
In Monaco, when the Prince is considering That Grand Prix took place in torrential rain. we decided to change our perspective, our
something, you are informed that he is Jean-Pierre Beltoise won – and that would be management and our ambitions. For example,
expecting you in audience. We spoke very the only success in the Formula 1 championship starting in 1974 our primary objective was to
freely, in the presence of Mr. Ballerio, Mr. for that French driver. As for me, it was my modify the race circuit, which made it possible
Notari, Mr. Biamonti and Mr. Marsan. I was first real scare. to increase the width of the quay from 14 to

14