Round 3 Post Qualifying Press Conference

FIA Formula 2: Welcome to Jeddah where it's time for the press conference with the top three Qualifiers for Round 3 of FIA Formula 2. In third place we have Leonardo Fornaroli from Invicta Racing, in second is Victor Martins from ART Grand Prix and taking Pole Position is Jak Crawford from DAMS Lucas Oil. Jak, congratulations. You said it was the lap of your life, what made it so special?

Jak Crawford: I think because we were very strong in FP, one of the strongest and the first run in Quali was so bad. I was seven tenths off the pace, and we had a Red Flag on my first push, so I thought, ‘It’s not going to be our day and I’m going to do my best and try and bring home a top 10.’ Everything just came together, the changes we made between the two runs. The lap was really good. When I crossed the finish line, I couldn’t believe my eyes with the time I saw. It came together quite perfectly at the end there.

FIA Formula 2: You say it came together perfectly, how much was it down to changes you made to the car and how much was down to the driving?

Crawford: I feel like a lot was down to changes we made on the car, I felt quite on it. I’ve been here before, I felt on it straight away in quali. I was shocked when I was P13 on the first run. I knew what to do driving wise for the second run to improve slightly. I think the biggest step was with the car. We made the right changes, got everything in the right window. When that happens, it is going to be a good qualifying session.

FIA Formula 2: It was peak pressure after the Red Flag, only five minutes to go. What was your approach to that final lap?

Crawford: We were last in the pitlane, so everyone went at the green and there was a massive queue. I just told my engineer that it was fine to be last. We had to risk it all because we needed a good preparation for the lap, and it’s exactly what I got. I got a bunch of clean space, and it was exactly what I needed.

FIA Formula 2: What does the rest of the weekend look like, give us your thoughts on the reserve grid tomorrow and converting pole, is that difficult here?

Crawford: They are definitely going to be two different races. Race 1 is going to be at night and Race 2 more in the middle of the day with hotter conditions, so it will be two different races. I’m starting in the middle of the pack tomorrow compared to the front on Sunday. Tomorrow I still want to score points, these pole points are my first of the year. I just want to put some points on the board and have a good result. Of course, on Sunday we want to make use of the clean air, especially a high-speed track like this, clean air is king. If you can just drive alone in free air, that will be my goal for Sunday.

FIA formula 2: Well, congratulations. Victor only tiny margins in it, where do you feel you lost pole this evening?

Victor Martins: When Jak crossed the line. Honestly, I think that’s where I lost it because I was quite happy with the lap itself. The rest of the quali was quite messy with the Red Flag. I think on the first run I was P1 and on the second lap Lindblad got me by just a bit. The car was quick. Everything on my side was perfectly done and then you have the Red Flag. I thought maybe it was not the day for us, I thought ‘stay cool it’s not in your control you can only focus on the driving and getting the tyres in the window to do a good lap.’ I think I managed to do it perfectly in the end. Wasn’t quite enough, but it’s still a P2 for the weekend.

FIA Formula 2: Jak spoke about changes that he made during the session, did you make any changes?

Martins: Yeah, I did because I was not super happy with the balance. Then we did a few changes to be better for the last run. Again, I think we had the same approach to let people go also for the warmup, to focus on the tyres. Anyway, we knew we were only going to have one lap in the end. We did what we had to do, but in the end, it was not enough. I did P1 in Melbourne, P2 in Bahrain and P2 again, so it’s good qualifying performances. We are there and I have a good position for tomorrow and also for the Feature Race.

FIA Formula 2: How much confidence does the consistency you’ve shown over one lap give you for the whole campaign?

Martins: I just know I can do it. Every Friday, I know how to approach Fridays. Also, with the team from FP to Quali what we need to do on the car and now the car is super quick. I know that we can fight for pole and this extra confidence is always good. I don’t doubt the team or myself. I think Fridays are good, I just need to do things right on Saturday and not take too many risks. Being cooler and chill sometimes, not wanting to much in terms of expectations and results and I think everything will be good.

FIA Formula 2: You say be more chilled but you’re going for the win on Sunday, right?

Martins: For sure, but I am planning to be a bit more chilled for tomorrow’s race, but the Feature is another thing. Definitely, I need to score points and convert that performance and the car performance into good points for the team and I. Definitely, the approach will be a bit different to Bahrain and Melbourne.

FIA Formula 2: Good luck. Leo so close to pole, less than a tenth separating all three of you, how good was your lap?

Leonardo Fornaroli: I am quite happy with my lap. It was not the perfect Sector 1 because I wasn’t in the perfect position after set 1. Then we got the Red Flag in my first push of the second set. I knew I had only one chance to have a good result. I maybe lost a bit of time in the snake section, but still we finished P3 and it’s a good result. I’m happy.

FIA Formula 2: What are your thoughts on what it’s like to drive a Formula 2 car here in Jeddah. How does it compare to Bahrain and Albert Park before?

Fornaroli: It’s amazing. It’s a street circuit with no room for mistakes. It’s a very fast track. To be quick you have to be on the limit with everything going very close to the wall. It’s an amazing feeling.

FIA Formula 2: What are your thoughts for the rest of the weekend, do you believe you can win the Feature Race?

Fornaroli: Why not. I will give it my best, but it is also my first time in Jeddah, a difficult track. I will try to fight for the win, but if I can’t, I will just try and score as many points as I can.

FIA Formula 2: Best of luck, thank you all three.