'Progress has been good but I've got to raise the targets now' - Bölükbasi

16 August 2022

Cem Bölükbasi arrived in Formula 2 at Charouz Racing System with little experience in single-seater motorsport. With a few wins under his belt, he joined the Championship understanding how testing things might be but has shown steady improvement throughout the 2022 campaign.

As things tick over the halfway point, he sat down to reflect on his rookie campaign including the challenges he’s faced, integrating into the team and his expectations for the remaining rounds.

“I think despite not getting any points so far, I think my season has been going pretty well,” he surmised. “I think we've been improving quite a bit since the Barcelona races. We were expecting to be a bit more ahead, but I think the crash was a bit of a setback for us. It kind of reset me. I think the season started properly in Barcelona because trying to get that confidence back up after a big crash like that, getting used to the weekend format, getting the best out of the car, after being out of the car for two months, it's basically the start of the season for me again.”

Bölükbasi missed the second and third rounds of the season after a heavy crash in Jeddah ruled him out for a period. It’s something the Turkish driver is disappointed with looking back, feeling that the incident cost him time in the car and, in turn, progression in the Championship.

Acclimatising to the car has been an ongoing process but losing out on an entire round so early in the season was a huge point in his season he admitted. For the Charouz driver, it wasn’t until Round 4 in Barcelona that his 2022 season really got started after almost a full month out of the car.

Since then, there have been flashes of potential and for the driver, his confidence levels have only gone to higher and higher levels with each passing race. It’s a key element that he freely admits he lacked in subsequent rounds in Monaco and Baku.

“After a crash like that, you're not going to get all your confidence back in one weekend. Then you have a trip like Monaco where confidence is everything, then Baku where confidence is everything too. I think if we didn't have street circuits after the crash, it would have been a bit easier for me to push and get the confidence back. In the end, it's still going well but I think it would have been easier if we had Silverstone after Barcelona. If we went to Monaco now, I think the outcome would be different, but it's all learning for next year."

Since then, he has been working hard along with the team to make up for lost time. The speed is coming says Bölükbasi, who achieved a season-best Qualifying result of 13th position around the Red Bull Ring in Speilberg, the shortest track on the calendar where margins are ever so fine.

While that weekend represented a Friday high point, it was the weekend at Le Castellet that the Charouz man believes has been his finest so far, and raised expectations for the remainder of the campaign.

“Honestly since Barcelona, we've been improving at a good rate every weekend. We weren’t able to show it in Paul Ricard just because of some issues in Qualifying, mainly traffic red flags, which were bad timing, and some bad decisions by myself with the traffic.

“Despite that, I think it was definitely our strongest weekend. Since Baku, we have made a good improvement, our race pace has been a lot stronger, we were struggling with that. Definitely improved in Austria, qualifying P13 was the highlight. I think we have a lot more to show. We should be fighting for those positions in Qualifying and for top 10s"

As the season has unfolded, working relationships have improved along with confidence in the car. A crucial part of the process has been integrating with mechanics, engineers and teammate Enzo Fittipaldi.

The pair have built up a good report in the paddock and behind the scenes, Bölükbasi says that having a strong benchmark alongside him in the team has driven his own performances on too and their relationship as teammates has aided his progress.

“I have a great relationship with the team. We're working together well. The progress is a big part of that because we can progress a lot better if everything is smoother and things kind of click with everyone. My engineers, mechanics, team boss, team owner, I think we have a good relationship all together. Like I said, it's still a learning process every weekend because we still have a lot of experience to gain.

“It’s been pretty smooth. Of course, Enzo has quite a bit more experience in racing than I have so I think it’s good to have him as reference because he is quick all the time, especially in the races. We help each other push the car a lot more as well, improving the car and as I understand the car more, I can help and contribute the team more than in the beginning, which definitely helped us move the car forwards.”

Reflecting on his efforts in the first half of the campaign, the Turkish driver is pleased with what he’s accomplished so far but is under no illusions that further improvements are required. Ambition and high targets in the remaining four rounds of the 2022 campaign have been set and Bölükbasi knows the areas he’s targeting come Spa-Francorchamps.

“I think the race pace we've adapted better than I thought. Looking at the start procedures and all of the lap ones I've done so far, I've probably gained at least two or three positions so far in each race. In terms of race craft, I think we're managing well with the defence, offence and everything else. I think we need a step up in Qualifying and I think we're doing that. The car has definitely improved, and Enzo is showing that. He’s getting a lot of points lately so now it’s up to me to close the gap to him.

“Spa to Abu Dhabi, I think our target should be getting points every race, every weekend, because we have the pace to do so. If we just bring all the pieces together, we should be getting points every race weekend, and maybe if we can get something better than top 10. Maybe top five, who knows, maybe a podium is possible.”

Chasing The Dream Season 4 is out now! Watch Episode 1 over on F1TV and Youtube.