Interview
‘Proud to see myself up there’ – Tsolov feeling good after qualifying seventh on debut in Lusail
Nikola Tsolov was happy to have recovered from a tough Free Practice to qualify seventh on his Formula 2 debut in Lusail, the Campos Racing driver revelling in it putting it all together when it mattered the most.
The Bulgarian and his team had a tough opening 45-minute outing of the weekend, as he finished down in P18, one position behind teammate Arvid Lindblad.
But Tsolov was able to claw his way back in Qualifying, going up to P7 late in the session with a 1:36.764, putting him a good position for the rest of the weekend.
QUALIFYING: Goethe denies Fornaroli pole in Lusail
“It feels good, especially after a tough FP,” reflected Tsolov. “The car was a bit weird to get used too, with the Hard tyre there was no grip at all, and it was really difficult to drive.
“In quali I knew everything would change and I was going to go step-by-step, but already in Lap 1, I was sending it. Then I was putting good sectors in but never putting it together, until the end, when I was like I need to put it all together.
“That’s what happened and obviously there was a few tenths in it, but it’s a good first result and a good base to work from, so proud to see myself up there.”
When asked if he was proud with his performance given that he was racing at a new track and in a new car, Tsolov admitted he was a bit “mixed” about it all.
“It's difficult when you have not tested the actual race car and don’t know the track at the same time, and it’s such a difficult track as well,” Tsolov responded.
“It’s only high-speed corners, where you need a lot of confidence, so not knowing the car was a big play, but I think I committed and I was starting to get comfortable with it towards the end.
“I am proud considering the FP we had, seventh is good, but I don’t know how to feel about it, it’s pretty mixed.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, Tsolov says his goal for Sunday’s Feature Race is to make sure he completes every single lap and also does a pitstop.
But before that his attentions will be on Saturday’s Sprint, where he will be doing a race start for the first time.
PRACTICE: Fornaroli in strong form as he sets the pace in Lusail for Invicta Racing
“I don’t know what to expect for tomorrow honestly,” added Tsolov. “I have only done a practice start in the pitlane in Free Practice, so it’s something I have not spent a lot of time doing compared to the others.
“But I should be alright. If I just follow the procedure, stay calm, then I should be okay.”