Round 3 Post Sprint Race Press Conference

FIA Formula 2: Hello and welcome to the Press Conference of the top 3 finishers in today’s FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race. In third we have Martinius Stenshorne from Rodin Motorsport, second is Gabriele Minì from MP Motorsport and taking his first victory is Noel León of Campos Racing, Noel you made some history today here in Canada, tell us how that feels.

Noel León: It feels great. I have been waiting a long time for this victory. It feels nice. The last three laps were very chaotic for me, trying to not make any mistakes and keep it safe because we had a good gap. Pretty happy that now I can already check the first win off the list for the year. For sure the first one is always the most difficult one.

FIA Formula 2: It looked like you found some pace after that second Safety Car, where did that come from?

León: I don't know. I was pushing as much as I could. To be honest, the car was pretty good. I knew I had the pace. Obviously, with the DRS effect, we were playing a little bit. You don't want to be first with the little gap, because it's obviously just damaging the tyres. It was very difficult. I knew that Gabriele was struggling. I tried to overtake, and after that restart, I pushed as much as I was able.

FIA Formula 2: What's the atmosphere been like here for you in Canada?

León: It's been good, to be honest. First time here for me. I've never been to Canada before. It's awesome. The city, the track, I love it, and now even more.

FIA Formula 2: Well, Gabi, we'll come to you next. You had a great start. Broke the DRS early. Can you just take us through your race?

Gabriele Minì: We started pretty well. Had quite a lot of pace at the beginning. But after a few laps, I already could feel and could see visually some graining. I started managing after I got up to about two seconds. I tried to keep it there, but I could feel that we were missing a bit. I knew that the Safety Car was not what we needed. When it came, the restart was not so good. We missed quite a lot of temperature. Not ideal, but then it was quite clear that Noel was a bit quicker. For me, the mindset switched to trying to pull a gap, trying to stay out there and pull a gap from the others. Trying to survive. In the end, we managed to do that and bring home second position.

FIA Formula 2: Was it hard to maintain the tyre? Was it hard to really keep a lot of, not only temperature in the tyre, but also keep the tyre alive throughout the race?

Minì: I think it was quite hard. I knew that it was going to be like this, and I could feel it already from lap one that this was going to be what I would be struggling with. I started managing really, really early on, but clearly it was not enough. We just have to analyse data, see what I can do different, and what we can improve on the car and go again tomorrow.

FIA Formula 2: It’s the first time Formula 2 racing here in Canada and also at the Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve. What did you make of the track?

Minì: To be honest, it looks quite cool. I like the flow of it. Just at the beginning, it was a bit dusty outside, which doesn't make it so easy, but after a few laps, it cleans up. You can use pretty much all the track, and it becomes really enjoyable to drive.

FIA Formula 2: Martinius, we'll come to you. Congrats on the P3. You were just a few seconds back off that battle between Alex and also Gabriele. Did you just not have enough tyre left to actually close that gap down, or what was it?

Martinius Stenshorne: Yes, finally, first F2 podium. First of all, very happy with that. I did struggle a bit towards the end. From early on, I could feel it was getting a bit difficult. Also, when I tried to make the move on Villagomez and had to cut the track, I think we lost a bit of grip there. Also, the front wing was a bit damaged from an earlier contact. Anyway, first podium and happy with that.

FIA Formula 2: What did you make of the circuit and also the atmosphere here at Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve? Stenshorne: It's been good so far. A lot of people are on the tribunes, which is always nice. The track itself is very enjoyable to drive. Just like Gabriele said, it was a bit dusty in the beginning, but as soon as that was cleaned up, it's been very good.

FIA Formula 2: Thank you very much for that, gentlemen. Really appreciate that.