Round 1 Post Qualifying Press Conference

FIA Formula 2: Hello from Melbourne, where we are joined by the top three qualifiers from the FIA Formula 2 at this weekend's Australian Grand Prix. In third place, we have Jak Crawford for DAMS Lucas Oil, second is Victor Martins for ART Grand Prix, and taking Pole Position is Gabriele Minì for PREMA racing. Gabriele, congratulations, a Pole Position to kick off your first full season in F2. How sweet does that feel?

Gabriele Minì: Yeah, thank you very much, it was. It was an amazing session. To be honest, every push lap we did, we were within the top two or three, and as you said, on the last lap, we managed to put a really good lap in, and that was good enough for pole. As I already said, we've been working hard during the winter, and it's good to see that it pays off.

FIA Formula 2: Well, it's only your second Qualifying session in Formula 2, but how much did your appearance at the end of last season maybe help prepare you for the start of this year?

Gabriele Minì: I think it was a really big help. You know, having a teammate that is really strong, and seeing the differences in driving between Formula 3 and Formula 2, it's something that really helps. Because it’s one thing to see the data and compare it to other days. It’s another thing to see it from a good driver, and to be able to compare it to him. So, it really helped me, and then with the work we did in the winter, once again, it really paid off.

FIA Formula 2: At the end of that session, sadly, we saw a race control message about a potential impeding incident between yourself and Jak. Can you just talk us through what happened there?

Gabriele Minì: Yeah, we were just all in sequence on the push laps, we all cooled down and we got into turn 4. As soon as I saw him, I tried to go on the left, but I aborted the lap. I don't know what will happen, but we'll see.

FIA Formula 2: Well done today. Victor, your 11th front row start in Formula 2 will come from second place at the moment. How do you sum up your session?

Victor Martins: You make me look old when you say that. No, it is a good start. You know, in the Championship last year, I was hoping for a start like this. I think you always aim to get pole position, for sure. I was on provisional pole until Gabriele finished his lap. I was hoping to keep it, but in the end, it was an okay lap, you know, like not the best of my career, but let's say, enough to be on the front row, and I'm really happy about what the team gave me today. I think we know where we are, and I think we can build up from here.

FIA Formula 2: Well, you mentioned last year, which was tough at times to be competitive consistently from track to track. Do you feel like you're starting off in a better place this season?

Victor Martins; Definitely, I think we know where we are. I think we have the performance we were targeting, to start like this, the Championship, everything is coming easier. You know what you do with the team, the development, which direction to go when you have a good feeling in the car, it's much easier. So, let's say the confidence is here. Everyone is happy. I think we enjoy being in Melbourne for the first round and now comes the races.

FIA Formula 2: You joked about being too old. I'd use the word experienced in Formula 2 and come Sunday's race starting on the front row. Do you think that could be an advantage for you? Your experience?

Victor Martins: For sure. I think I have made some good steps last year in the winter. We practiced also quite a lot. I know I will have everything in my hands to do a good job. Every time it is the same, you use your experience, when we have different situations to deal with. I think I learned a lot from last year to deal my emotions. So, let's see. Let's prepare well ourselves for tomorrow and then Sunday's race.

FIA Formula 2: Well done today. Thanks very much. And Jak on to you now. P3 in qualifying, but a grid penalty to come. So how do you sum up today from your point of view?

Jak Crawford: Yeah, I'm very happy with today. Last year was a bit up and down for us, and it's great to arrive at somewhere we struggled at last year and be competitive all day. Straight away from the first lap in practice, first lap in qualifying, we were in the top three. So, you know, I'm happy with the job everyone has done over the winter, and also since the test only two weeks ago, we put in a lot of hard work. So definitely satisfied with today.

FIA Formula 2: Well you've shown the pace you've got as well. So what do you think you can do trying to fight through the field in the two races this weekend?

Jak Crawford: Yeah, we'll see. I mean, I started last, last year in both races, and I scored points both times. So, we'll see. You know, anything can happen at this track. I think it's usually quite a chaotic race with lots of overtaking, lots of fighting. So, I'm looking forward to making up positions. We've always been really strong, especially in race conditions, so I see no reason why we can't fight for good points too.

FIA Formula 2: Jak to you, I asked Gabriele about the impeding incident that we saw at the end of Qualifying. Can you just talk us through it from your perspective as well? Jak Crawford; Yeah, I mean, I was at the end of the run. Was going for one last kind of glory lap and unfortunately, just came across Gabi. I don't think there's a lot he could do at the end of the day. It was not a great situation at the end of the day.

FIA Formula 2: Thanks very much.