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Gilles Simon (Formula One)
Encyclopedia
Gilles Simon is the French
former head of the Ferrari
Formula One
team's Engine Department from 2006 to 2009. He is set to join the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
(FIA) as part of a working group to investigate new energies and environmentally friendly technology.
, one of France's top engineering schools. He graduated in 1984 and joined the Renault
team, where he worked in R&D
for four years. He was then hired by Peugeot
and worked on the marque's V10 engine
, which would ultimately achieve success in their Le Mans
effort in the early 1990s.
In 1993
, Simon followed compatriot Jean Todt
to Ferrari, assisting Paolo Martinelli
in the Engine and Electronics Department. Following the Italian's move to an executive role within Fiat
, Simon took over as head of the department in October 2006
. Simon left his position in October 2009, and was replaced by Luca Marmorini
.
In December 2009, FIA President Jean Todt
revealed that Simon is to join a working group to investigate new energies and environmentally friendly technology in motorsport.
In July 2011, Simon left his FIA role to join Propulsion Universelle et Recuperation d'Energie
(PURE), a new F1 engine supplier which aims to enter the sport in .
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
former head of the Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari is the racing team division of the Ferrari automobile marque. The team currently only races in Formula One but has competed in numerous classes of motorsport since its formation in 1929, including sportscar racing....
Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
team's Engine Department from 2006 to 2009. He is set to join the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is a non-profit association established as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus on 20 June 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users...
(FIA) as part of a working group to investigate new energies and environmentally friendly technology.
Career
Simon studied at the École des MinesÉcole nationale supérieure des mines de Paris
The École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris was created in 1783 by King Louis XVI in order to train intelligent directors of mines. It is one of the most prominent French engineering schoolsThe École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris (also known as Mines ParisTech, École des Mines de...
, one of France's top engineering schools. He graduated in 1984 and joined the Renault
Renault F1
Lotus Renault GP, formerly the Renault F1 Team, is a British Formula One racing team. The Oxfordshire-based team can trace its roots back through the Benetton team of the late 1980s and 1990s to the Toleman team of the early 1980s. Renault had also competed in various forms since , before taking...
team, where he worked in R&D
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
for four years. He was then hired by Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
and worked on the marque's V10 engine
V10 engine
A V10 engine is a V engine with 10 cylinders in two banks of five with a distinct exhaust note.- Mechanics :The V10 is essentially the result of mating two even-firing straight-5 engines together. The straight-5 engine shows first and second order rocking motion...
, which would ultimately achieve success in their Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
effort in the early 1990s.
In 1993
1993 Formula One season
The 1993 Formula One season was the 44th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1993 FIA Formula One World Championship, which commenced on March 14, 1993 and ended on November 7 after sixteen races...
, Simon followed compatriot Jean Todt
Jean Todt
Jean Todt was born on February 25, 1946, in Pierrefort, Cantal, France. After a successful career as a rally co-driver he made his reputation in motor sport management, first with Peugeot Talbot Sport, then with Scuderia Ferrari, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ferrari from 2004...
to Ferrari, assisting Paolo Martinelli
Paolo Martinelli
Paolo Martinelli is an engineer best known for his position as head of Scuderia Ferrari's Engine Department from 1994 to 2006.-Career:...
in the Engine and Electronics Department. Following the Italian's move to an executive role within Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
, Simon took over as head of the department in October 2006
2006 Formula One season
The 2006 Formula One season was the 57th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship which began on March 12 and ended on October 22 after eighteen races. The Drivers' Championship was won by Fernando Alonso of Renault F1 for the second year in a...
. Simon left his position in October 2009, and was replaced by Luca Marmorini
Luca Marmorini
Luca Marmorini is the head of the engine and electronics department at the Ferrari Formula One team.Marmorini started his Formula One career with Ferrari in , which he joined after completing a mechanical doctorate. He stayed with Ferrari until , when he joined Toyota as it prepared to enter...
.
In December 2009, FIA President Jean Todt
Jean Todt
Jean Todt was born on February 25, 1946, in Pierrefort, Cantal, France. After a successful career as a rally co-driver he made his reputation in motor sport management, first with Peugeot Talbot Sport, then with Scuderia Ferrari, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ferrari from 2004...
revealed that Simon is to join a working group to investigate new energies and environmentally friendly technology in motorsport.
In July 2011, Simon left his FIA role to join Propulsion Universelle et Recuperation d'Energie
Propulsion Universelle et Recuperation d'Energie
Propulsion Universelle et Recuperation d'Energie , French for Universal Propulsion and Recuperation of Energy, is a motorsports engineering company founded by former British American Racing team principal Craig Pollock in 2011...
(PURE), a new F1 engine supplier which aims to enter the sport in .