Round 6 Post Qualifying Press Conference

FIA Formula 2: Hello and welcome to Barcelona where it’s time for our post-qualifying press conference with our top three finishers in Formula 2. In third place, we have Kush Maini of DAMS Lucas Oil. In second, Sebastián Montoya for PREMA Racing and on Pole Position for the first time in Formula 2, Arvid Lindblad for Campos Racing. Arvid, congratulations on Pole Position, a great lap by yourself there at the end for P1. How good does that feel?

Arvid Lindblad: It feels really good. I feel like it’s been a long time coming. There have been many sessions so far this year that we have been right in the game, but it has kind of slipped away in the last moment. Very happy to finally get it and at home for the team as well.

FIA Formula 2: You looked quick from the very first laps in Practice. How pleased are you to have been able to show that in Qualifying and how much confidence does that give you going into the rest of the weekend?

Lindblad: Free Practice gave me a lot of confidence, we had a good practice. From the first lap the pace was good, I felt comfortable from the beginning. I knew that the car was good going into quali, it was just about me doing the job. I am very happy with how it was. I think the race will be very different. I think it is known here that it is a high deg circuit, so things can still be very different in the race. Definitely it’s a good sign that the pace is strong.

FIA Formula 2: During this Qualifying session you had to take it step by step, how confident were you that you could just put it on Pole and beat Montoya at the flag? Lindblad: On the first lap I knew that I had to push quite hard, but it was a bit of an unknown because it was the first lap on the Soft. I saw after Run 1 that the speed was strong and it was just about doing the job again on Set 2 and doing all my bits right. Just did that again on the second run and was able to improve my time and take pole

FIA Formula 2: In 2025 you’ve got Sprint winner ticked off, Pole Position now in the bag, just one more to go. How does Sunday look now starting from the front with a clear view?

Lindblad: I am looking forward to it. I think we are in a good position, we know the car is good. I feel quite comfortable and at home on this circuit, I went well here last year. I am looking forward to Sunday and hopefully we can have a good result.

FIA Formula 2: Well congratulations, Sebastián, coming to you. P2 and almost top spot but for Arvid’s final lap. You sounded very happy with that result regardless on the radio at the end, is that still the feeling?

Sebastián Montoya: Yeah most definitely. Arvid was quick from the first lap in Free Practice. Us on the other hand we were struggling a little more with the car. I finished the first run, and the car wasn’t exactly where I thought it was going to be and where it should have been. The team did a good job to put it in a better window. We were missing that last little bit, round here especially with the temperatures we are having this weekend being so hot, the tyres are quite sensitive, and you really need to make sure the car is on it so that you don’t burn through the tyre. We were just missing that last little bit to improve. Sector 1 and Sector 2 were quite close and the last sector he just nicked us. I think he did a good lap, he had the speed, and he was doing a really good job. We were just missing that last little bit in the last sector. But no, I am really happy, I am really content. The team did an amazing job especially to give me the opportunity to do that lap that I did. I did a good job, they did a good step between both runs. To be on the front row feels really nice.

FIA Formula 2: That’s two P2s in a row, in Monaco and now here in Barcelona. What has been the difference since the start of the season to now for you to be top two again in Qualifying?

Montoya: A lot behind the scenes has changed, and the mentality that I’ve used for this season. I knew Qualifying wasn’t my strongest point, in the races, I have always been quite strong and quite quick, but I knew I was missing a little bit in Qualifying, but I knew I could do a good job. But just working bit by bit with the team and just having the mentality I needed for the one lap approach. It’s been really nice, getting the confidence to push the car the way I want to push it, it’s been a fun feeling.

FIA Formula 2: You have been consistent lately in Qualifying, what will it take for you to be consistent also in the races?

Montoya: A little bit of luck, but also, just taking it step by step, in Qualifying, we’ve been lucky enough to have a good car and I’ve been good enough to do a good lap. We’ve been working really hard with the team and for the races, the most important bit is just to take it lap by lap, understand what we are missing, what we need, where we are strong as well, use that as a strong point for us and where we are weak, adapt to the situations we have, be it the conditions, the track, the temperature. So just be in the moment and see what happens.

FIA Formula 2: Thanks Seb, Kush coming to you now. P3, again another driver with their best result of the season so far on a Friday in 2023. How happy are you with today’s result?

Kush Maini: I am definitely pleased. It’s been a tough start to the season and quali normally my strongest point the last two seasons and switching teams it’s been more difficult to get up to speed, but the last two rounds, I’ve felt strong. I made a few mistakes, like Imola when I put it in the wall, so stuff is just coming together. I knew we had the pace and it’s been really nice working with the team, and like I said in Monaco, I feel like our season has just started, and it’s going to be built on from here, so feeling good.

FIA Formula 2: DAMS look to be another team that’s stepped forward in this triple header, do you feel that within the team that there is something pushing you forward?

Maini: For sure. First of all, in the first two rounds, there were stuff out of our control. Once that changed, it made life easier for us, and now I feel like we are back to where we should be. Obviously, we are a bit far back points wise, but results like this are going to help put us in a good position for two races, so just need to be smart, stay out of trouble and bring home points now.

FIA Formula 2: Talking about Sunday, you’ll be starting on the clean side of the grid on Sunday and it’s a long run to Turn 1. Do you think it's a good place to be?

Maini: For sure. But it’s a Feature Race and it’s a very long one. It doesn’t end in Turn 1, in F2, it’s all about strategy and how you maintain the tyres, so there is no point going crazy into Turn 1. I just need to watch, I have experience on my side, stay calm and take my chances when they come.

FIA Formula 2: Thanks Kush, well done everyone.