will develop cars using similar technologies

Former business leader, Paul Drayson is Minister of Science and Innovation in the Government of Gordon Brown since October 2008. Motor racing enthusiast, he participated the year last in the 24 hours of le Mans on an Aston Martin Vantage bioethanol-powered.

You have run the year le Mans last with une bioethanol-powered car. What can be said of the EEMS (Energy Efficiency Motorsport) program, which advocates the bioethanol in races at the United Kingdom, and what benefits can be expected for the car of Mr whole world

This program is intended to highlight the real contribution of motor sport. It thus proposes to deal with the greatest challenge which our generation faces: climate change. Motor sport has always been a test bed for innovation, particularly the endurance races, with solutions such as disc brakes, etc. As pressure mounts to force cars to be more effective, with less impact on the environment, I think that car competition may again make the Green fun and exciting... When we have adapted an Aston Martin to turn to the second generation bioethanol, the public was very surprised that we are competitive. The other stables thought that I would soon wear sandals and eat lentils! In short, I was no longer a serious competitor. And then when it is found in pole position, they have more Hatchback at all! Also I hope that more and more stables, more and more builders (Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche...) will develop cars using similar technologies.

The global automotive industry currently crosses a bad password. She needs to develop new products that stick to the needs of the 21st century, and I think that motor sport is appropriate for this challenge. As Minister of Science, the fact that in Britain we have the first global motor sports industry gives us the knowledge and resources to dominate all of this. This is an area in which we still need more we invest and develop. The speed is good if it develops the innovation.

Precisely, your prototype shows the logo of the British project Bloodhound, a vehicle designed to break the speed record on Earth. Today, the rest - t speed - it a news objective

Yes, absolutely. Britain has been the holder of world speed record on Earth. Today, we see the development of a vehicle which would reach ground 1,000 miles per hour (approximately 1,600 kilometres per hour, Editor's note) as a support to technological innovation. The challenge is not only to the wall of sound, but to achieve this incredible speed without taking off. This pushes really all barriers in terms of science of materials, aerodynamics and efficiency. The United Kingdom, we use this as a project to encourage more young people to study science and engineering. Motor sport, speed, and initiatives such as the Bloodhound Project are examples of how we can engage and involve the young generation.

But, in terms of efficiency, if one takes the environmental argument, this search for speed yet a sense

Yes. I think that the "green lobby" erred in making people feel guilty. If you want to have the agreement of a majority of people on a topic, then you must ensure that they want to participate and you must give them the choice. People want the independence that gives the car, they want cars that go fast with high level performance, they want cars that have a good look, they want cars that are efficient, economic. If these cars cause in more less damage on the environment, people will buy them.