Reinecke: AIX Racing have ‘taken a step forward’ after Imola and Monte Carlo performances

The recently rebranded AIX Racing team have had a stellar couple of rounds in Imola and Monte Carlo, as in the space of two weeks they achieved their first points, podium, and victory in Formula 3.

After a slow start to the season in which they did not score a point in the opening three rounds, AIX rebounded well after the in-season test at Rounds 4 and 5. First, Joshua Duerksen finished third in Imola before Taylor Barnard won the Monte Carlo Sprint Race.

Those results lift the team onto 25 points and while they are still at the bottom of the Championship, CEO Morne Reinecke is pleased with their progress. He says that it is all part of the “solid foundations” they are laying to become a front running outfit.

READ MORE: Jack Doohan to drive in FP1 at Canadian Grand Prix for Alpine “To say we are pleased would be a massive understatement,” said Reinecke. “The step forward since testing is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who have worked long hours to make sure we can give our drivers a competitive package. So, I want to thank each of them for their selfless dedication to ensure that we are heading in the right direction.

“Of course, we all know that change does not happen overnight. However, with the constant effort, we will reach our goal of being among the front runners in both F2 & F3.”

Duerksen’s podium came on a weekend in which the Paraguayan driver had qualified in fifth place, three-tenths off Invicta Racing’s pole-sitter Gabriel Bortoleto.

After being involved in an opening lap collision in the Sprint, he returned on Sunday to put in an assured performance in the Feature, running a solid race to P3, giving both he and the team their first points and podium in Formula 2.

It was then Barnard’s turn in Monte Carlo, starting on reverse grid pole and enduring a late Red Flag and challenge from Bortoleto to win the Sprint Race.

Looking at their performances over those two race weekends, Reinecke says it has been an emotional time for the team given all their hard work to ensure they could compete for those top positions.

Bortoleto: ‘Special’ connection with Invicta gives confidence for the rest of the season

“Our entire team were incredibly emotional along with Joshua after his podium finish in Imola,” he admitted. “When you put everything together on race day and obtain such a phenomenal result it really brings out significant emotions.

“With the team that we have and with Joshua’s focus, we believe that this is just the first of many podiums for him and this team.

“We were also extremely pleased for both the team and for Taylor because it was such a stellar performance in Monaco. Our hard work and dedication are truly paying off and it is an example of the strategy and work ethic our partners AIX have brought to the team.

“But it truly is a team effort and again I have to thank every member of the team behind the scenes for making sure this machine works.”

Elaborating on the two drivers’ performances so far this season, Reinecke continued: “We have been really impressed by the professionalism of both drivers, both on and off the track.

“It’s so easy to forget that they are still rookies, but their approach and feedback from a technical perspective and from a feeling within the car is astounding. We are so fortunate to have Joshua and Taylor and we are grateful to be able to grow this team with them.”

They will now be hoping to build on those two race weekends starting in Barcelona, which kicks off a triple header that will also see the teams head to Spielberg and Silverstone.

Hubert: DAMS Lucas Oil focused on top five goal this season

When asked what he would like to achieve at the next three weekends and the rest of the season, Reinecke was taking a long-term view, with his eyes set on turning AIX into a stronger contender over the course of the season.

“Each department within our team has clearly defined goals, and we are focused on meeting objectives one at a time,” he explained. “As I mentioned earlier, of course we want to be a front-running team, but we are realistic, and we know that takes time.

“So, we are putting everything in place to build a solid foundation and hopefully that will serve us well and help us achieve our goal of becoming a front-running team.”