2023 Round 14 post-Qualifying press conference

Thoughts from Doohan, Martins and Maini.

FIA Formula 2: A very warm welcome to the top 3 qualifiers for the FIA Formula 2 Feature Race here at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. In third place Kush Maini for Campos Racing, in second place Victor Martins for ART Grand Prix and on pole position for Invicta Virtuosi Racing Jack Doohan. Jack many congratulations, it looked like you were quick throughout. Just talk us through the session from your point of view?

Jack Doohan: Yeah, happy with the session. Good final round of F2 for me so it’s a great send off for my last qualifying of this championship. Run 1 was quite strong, it was a very short turn over time from FP1 in Formula 1. The team made it so comfortable and seamless that transition. Straight away I felt very comfortable with the car and run 1 felt good. It didn’t feel at the limit which was quite nice because last year I was way too quickly at the limit, and I didn’t transition in run 2. It was good to be able to go into run 2 and take a good step forward and end off on a high like we did.

FIA Formula 2: In terms of the race on Sunday what have you learnt today?

Jack Doohan: Today you know it is hard to say. I think looking back to last year the conditions were a little bit more brutal, a little bit hotter and the tyres were degrading a little bit more. I think we can see track temp, everything is about 5 or 6 degrees cooler so we are going to be looking back potentially to data back in 2021 to try and see what the similar characteristics are and plan our action.

FIA Formula 2: Jack, it has been a busy day for you, F2, F1. You mentioned the transition between the two, how difficult has it been for you to do that?

Jack Doohan: Fortunately, I had it last year so I was able to be a bit more prepared and make sure I made it as easy as possible. Nevertheless it still a difficult task, you are going from a lap time of a 1:26 to a 1:36 in a matter of 20 minutes or even less so it’s no easy task. For me I feel great coming back from the F1 to the F2 actually where I think others might struggle more. For me, it all worked out well luckily and I’m happy to be here.

FIA Formula 2: Very well done to you, thank you. Victor coming to you now, fastest after the first run of Qualifying, what happened after that?

Victor Martins: What happened, I mean it is still a strong Qualifying. I think finishing P2 is still a really good start to the weekend. I will have a good opportunity to do well in the Feature Race and also coming back in the Sprint. I will say the day has been quite strong. P1 in Free Practice, I had also P1 in run 1 and the last lap I was not doing as well as in the first run, so I did a P2 but in the end, I am still happy.

FIA Formula 2: Tell us a little bit more about the Feature Race on Sunday, what are the biggest challenges do you think?

Victor Martins: I think first to get back to it, it has been more than 2 and a half months that we have not been racing. So of course to get back to the rhythm, get the strategy well, get everything; the mindset, the approach you need to have, and physically also to be ready for that because it can be long. In the end, with tyre management we shall see. It’s not looking too difficult I think for the weekend comparing to 2022. Let’s see the strategy and what tyres we will use. In the end I think with the Medium we were quick. I am P2 again in Qualifying so I am pretty confident we can do it.

FIA Formula 2: Very well done to you, thank you very much. Kush coming to you now, great to see you back in the top 3. Start as you mean to go on as an Alpine driver. Talk us through this session from your point of view.

Kush Maini: After FP I didn’t really feel great. This whole year, I feel we always make a step with the softer compound. I knew we had some time in the pocket and straight away from lap 1 with the soft I felt like we were in the game. Honestly I thought we could push for pole today but in the end Jack did an amazing lap and he deserves it. Happy with third we are in the mix and we can have a strong weekend from here.

FIA Formula 2: Kush it hasn’t been the easiest season for you so far, I think we can say that. How much of a shot in the arm is this for you, to do this at the last race and get some momentum back?

Kush Maini: I think we have made a lot of mistakes this year as a team, sometimes me, sometimes something that is out of my control. For sure the pace we have shown this year, we deserve to be high up in the championship I truly believe that. I would rather make the mistakes this year than next year so I’ll take it.

FIA Formula 2: Very well done to you.