Round 1 Post-Sprint Race Press Conference

FIA Formula 2: Welcome back to Melbourne, and it's time for the top three from this afternoon's FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race. In third place we’ve got Luke Browning for Hitech TGR. Second is Leonardo Fornaroli for Invicta Racing, and your race winner is Joshua Duerksen for AIX Racing. Josh congratulations, back-to-back victories for you after winning the Feature Race in Abu Dhabi last year, this must be the perfect way to kick off the new season?

Joshua Duerksen: Yeah, to be honest, it's perfect. I mean, last year, when I won the race in Abu Dhabi, I was like, “okay, this is the perfect ending, finishing with a Feature Race victory, getting into the top 10” and now, starting the season with a victory, that's really great, a really great feeling. And winning in Australia is something I didn't really think about coming into the weekend. I knew I would be in the front, I would be on a good pace, but I didn't, I don't know why it didn't, came into my mind that I would win the first race. Then, of course starting P2 today I was thinking, okay, yeah, this is possible, let's do it. Just really happy to start the season like this.

FIA Formula 2: Well, you took the lead off the line and never relinquished it, but you had to deal with a few restarts in there. Did it all feel under control? Or did you feel a lot of pressure?

Duerksen: No, it was all under control. I think the first Safety Car restart, I felt pretty good, but on the second one, I knew Leo would know my strategy. So then I felt, of course, a bit more pressure, because I knew maybe I wouldn't make such a big gap. But still, it was all fine, to be honest, especially on the second Safety Car. I was like, ‘Ah, no, I don't need this because I had a good gap’. So I was feeling comfortable and then with the Safety Car, of course, everybody has to close again. So, I didn't like the second Safety Car. But anyway, I managed to make a good restart, and then just have the tyres and temperature and was then just able to make clean laps. And I think this has helped me to get to victory.

FIA Formula 2: You did look very calm in both restarts, and you've now got a season of experience under your belt in Formula 2. So how confident are you in your potential for this year?

Durksen: For sure, this previous experience helps a lot, because now I can learn from the many rookies mistakes I've done last year. I remember in Australia, I've done some which I made sure to not repeat this year. So for sure, it helps a lot, because I know the tracks now, and especially I know the car more than the F2 rookie drivers. I mean, for the previous F3 drivers, of course they know the tracks, but the car is very different for them. So I think this is a bonus point for me. I think if I just keep working hard as I'm doing now with the team, I think we can have a great season together.

FIA Formula 2: Well, congratulations today, Leo. P2 for you to kick off your rookie season. Are you satisfied with the first podium for the first race?

Leonardo Fornaroli: Yeah, I'm happy with the result, you know, first season in F2 so had a lot of doubt this winter. Will I be at the front? Will I be competitive? Yesterday, we proved we're very competitive even with a messy second set, but still, happy about today's result. Unfortunately, I lost the lead before T1 then I tried in all the ways to retake that P1, but we lacked a bit of pace today. But still, first race and I have a podium. So, happy about today.

FIA Formula 2: Did it all hinge on the start you think? Or do you think that Josh maybe had a little bit too much pace, even if you'd kept the lead off the line?

Fornaroli: Well, even if I was going to be P1 after T1 I think it was going to be difficult, because he was really quick today, and when I was behind him, I was seeing I was lacking a bit of pace. So yeah, still happy about today,

FIA Formula 2: How quickly do you think you'll be able to learn from today? Tomorrow could be a bit mixed with the weather, we're not sure yet. But if it's another dry race, do you think you'll be able to put some lessons in place when you go racing again tomorrow?

Fornaroli: Yeah, absolutely. It means nothing compared to the race simulations we are testing. No, this is real already, lots of things from today. So I hope I can have a great result tomorrow as well.

FIA Formula 2: Well, well done today on the second place result. Luke, moving to you now, your first podium in Formula 2. It's a pretty good way to start the year.

Luke Browning: Yeah. I think Australia is cool. I like it. The weather's good. It was definitely a little bit hot in the car today and yeah, it's nice just being on the podium. Formula 2 is cool. I like the car. I think we're gelling well with the team. Obviously, quite experienced with the team now. It's very much just seeing how others have gone through the Formula 2 Championship, it's interesting to see how they build into it. You know, obviously you've got guys like Joshua next to me, who's coming in for the second season, these guys are going to be strong, and the third-year guys, I think, even some for fourth year, that have the experience which makes a massive difference. So, yeah, I'm hoping to use all mistakes that I made in the first two years of Formula 3 to my advantage.

FIA Formula 2: In today's race, there's a bit of a DRS train that seemed to form in the latter part of the race, at least. Is it difficult at that point looking forward and behind, or does it kind of settle down and not a lot of movement happened inside the car?

Browning: Yeah, there's not a whole lot I could do, unfortunately to overtake today. I think there was quite a procession up and down the grid, unfortunately. But that is just the nature of drivers not making big mistakes. And the standard of Formula 2 right now is super high. So yeah, it was tough to overtake today. But equally, I think the pace was super strong. It makes a big difference following cars around here with the overheating. And yeah, I was right behind Leo for a lot of the time. So I think if I'm unleashed tomorrow, I could have a good race pace.

FIA Formula 2: A bit more strategy comes in tomorrow with the pit stop, and if my grid penalty maths is correct, I think you're starting sixth tomorrow. So what do you think you can achieve?

Browning: I think I started from sixth last year. It's close. Anything's possible. It's Formula 2. The Feature Race is the exciting one. So anything's possible. I think the pace is good, but equally, it's very much in the forefront of my mind that I want to make no mistakes this year, and taking home some good points finishes in the first half of the year is the goal.

FIA Formula 2: Thank you everyone.