Inthraphuvasak aiming for a podium in Spielberg after impressive qualifying

Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak qualified sixth fastest in Spielberg and he is keen to use that strong starting position to achieve a maiden Formula 2 podium this weekend.

The ART Grand Prix rookie was a constant fixture inside the top 10 throughout the session before a final lap of a 1:15.799 took him up to sixth.

That time was just over two-tenths away from polesitter Noel León and after a run of qualifying results that have left the Thai driver outside the top 10, Inthraphuvasak spoke of his joy at being back in the mix.

“I’m happy with the result overall,” said Inthraphuvasak. “I think the team did a great job, and they gave me a really good car for this session. As always, the Red Bull Ring is super tight.

“Qualifying is very close, I think I was like less than half a tenth off from P3, so it’s super close. I’m happy to be back inside the top 10 again after a few tricky rounds of just not putting anything together.

“It's been really tricky for me overall, but I’ve found my feet again and it feels really good to find the pace again.”

With the margins being so tight, Inthraphuvasak was asked if there was any more time in his lap. He responded: “For sure, there's a bit more everywhere. But I think that's the same for everybody.

“I was missing a bit because on my lap I didn't have a tow. So I think that would have definitely put us up higher in the rankings. But P6 is a great position to start in both races to collect some good points.”

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Inthraphuvasak continued to also explain a few of the factors that he and the rest of the grid had to manage, given the high track and air temperatures.

“The temperatures were super high today,” he explained. “So there was a lot more deg compared to last year.

“I think everyone had their best times on the first push. So you had to nail the first push and I think I did quite a good job. I am happy with that one.”

Looking ahead to the races, Inthraphuvasak is aiming for a podium, with the Red Bull Ring known to be a track that allows for overtaking in the races.

“I'm starting P5 tomorrow,” he continued. “It's a great position to fight for points in both races. So I need to minimise the mistakes, stay out of trouble, and hopefully finish up there in the top three positions.

“We have good pace in the race, especially coming from last week in Barcelona. I think we had one of the strongest race pace. So I'm looking forward to bringing the momentum from last weekend to this weekend.

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“This track is a great track for overtaking opportunities. I think if we have good speed and we can definitely overtake. But I think the biggest thing will be degradation.

“There's a lot of deg, especially in the rears at this track. But if you can manage the tyres as best as possible and try to keep your tyres as best as you can in the DRS train then towards the end of the race you can make a difference.”