Louis Prette: "In my approach to jewellery as in car racing, I am a competitor"
Retail and HR director for the jewellery brand APM Monaco , Louis Prette is also a fan of motorsport. For L'OFFICIEL , the renowned Monegasque-Italian racing driver explains how his work and his passion come together.
THE OFFICIAL: Your passion, car racing, is far from the world of jewellery. Where did it come from?
Louis Prette: It's a passion that was born thanks to my father [Philippe Prette, Managing Director of APM Monaco, editor's note] . I followed him on the circuits from a very young age, and I was clearly "stung" immediately.
LO: What does your career in the world of motor racing bring you on a daily basis? Does it allow you to have a different approach to your work, and to jewellery?
LP: In a car, you always try to capture the last thousandths of a second in your driving... I do the same in my work. I am therefore very competitive in all areas!
LO: You, Louis Prette, already make the link between APM Monaco and the automotive world... Even more so today with your new muse, Charles Leclerc! Tell us more about this passion that unites the jewellery brand to sport.
LP: Originally, we were a family very fond of motorsport. My father has never missed an F1 Grand Prix, and it's a meeting that we love, that we would not miss for anything in the world! But it doesn't stop at the Grand Prix ... read globally, we assiduously follow any sporting discipline together, as long as there is a driving force.
LP: The Nürburgring circuit, in 2019, in the Ferrari challenge Europe. I'll tell you an anecdote: for the qualification of race 1, I made a violent exit from the track with it. Result: several fractures at the level of the C5, C6 and C7 vertebrae. After going through the hospital, I was strongly advised not to ride for 1 month. I hear, but don't listen. The next day, I resume the race, claim pole position and victory in race 2... with the added bonus of unmanageable pain.
LO: What was your best memory during a race?
LP: The victory of the Ferrari challenge championship in 2019, which was decided on the last race. My father also won the Asian championship that year. It was a great family moment!
LO: You are a regular at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. How have you prepared this year?
LP: This year will be my third participation, I hope it will be the right one for a good result! Last time out, starting from pole position, I had a good chance of getting a good result, but the race unfortunately decided otherwise... With my parallel work for APM Monaco, it's complicated to have as much practice as the other pilots. So I try to be as physically ready as possible. Motorsport is above all a lot of cardio, which is not very "fun" in training but makes the difference in the car. As they say, the effort is worth it.
