FIA Formula 2 Post-Qualifying Press Conference

FIA Formula 2: Welcome everyone to today's FIA Formula 2 Press Conference following Qualifying here at Monza. Joining us in P3, from Rodin Motorsport is Alexander Dunne; in second place from Invicta Racing is Joshua Dürksen; and also from Invicta Racing, capturing his fifth pole of the season, is Rafael Câmara. Rafa, congratulations. Your fifth pole of the season. How does that feel?

Rafael Câmara: Yes, I'm happy with that. Coming back from the summer break and starting on the right foot is good. I think it was a good lap on the first run. The second run was a bit messier, with some traffic, so I aborted the lap. But the first lap was good enough to put us there, so I'm very happy. Also, with P1 and P2 for the team and Joshua in P2, I think it was a great result on our return. Obviously, we know what Monza is like, so we just need to make sure we keep it clean for the races.

FIA Formula 2: The track temperature was quite high when you were out during the session. Were the tyres tricky at all?

Câmara: Monza is normally a low-energy circuit, so when it's hot, I would say it makes it a bit easier for us. Tyre warm-up is better and you can get the tyres ready for that first lap. On that side, it was not bad. The tyres may have been a bit peakier, but I didn't have any problems, so it was nice.

FIA Formula 2: Was it challenging to find track position today, and how powerful was the tow?

Câmara: It's always tricky because, here in Monza, you always want to look for the tow. I think it's difficult to get pole position here without being in clean air, so I needed to be in a good position. We managed that well on the first run. You're always looking, though. On the second run, everyone was slowing down before Parabolica and trying to get the tow. I think we managed it well today, and it gives us a good place to start on Sunday.

FIA Formula 2: Congratulations on the pole position, Rafa. Joshua, coming to you, congratulations on P2. Can you take me through your lap?

Joshua Dürksen: I think it was quite a good lap. I usually feel very good in Monza and have very good memories here. The Invicta car is always very good in qualifying, so it gives you a very good feeling straight away and you feel confident and comfortable. It was a good lap. On the second set, it was maybe a bit tricky at the first chicane because everybody slowed down so much before starting the lap. I think the tyres cooled down a little, so there was a bit of an offset. By the second chicane, the tyres were coming back into an optimal temperature window, and it was fine for the rest of the lap. I was pushing hard and came very close to going off several times, but I think it was good because I extracted everything from the car on that lap.

FIA Formula 2: With your P2, that's an Invicta Racing front-row lockout. What does that mean to you and the team?

Dürksen: I think it's the best result you can give the team. They deserve it because they work extremely hard every weekend to give us a very good car, which they do. I think it's the best thing they can see: both cars on the front row. They're very happy, and I'm happy that we could do it here in Monza as well.

FIA Formula 2: Congratulations on P2. Alex, coming to you, the field looked really tight today, with a tenth separating you from pole position. Can you take me through your lap?

Alexander Dunne: It was a difficult one. With all the traffic and chaos while starting the lap and going into the last corner, it was always going to be difficult. Tyre temperatures and getting everything into the right window were quite tricky, but I think we made the most of what was always going to be a difficult situation. I would have liked a little more, but it's nice to be back in the top three after a difficult weekend in Hungary.

FIA Formula 2: Can you take me through the end there? There was a whole group of cars trying to get track position. Was it tough?

Dunne: Yes, it was tricky. I think it was Roman Bilinski who started the chain reaction, when everyone began pushing and stopped driving slowly off the racing line. I had people going around me on the left and right. I just wanted to stay out of trouble, keep my nose clean, and avoid any silly incidents that would make life difficult for the rest of the weekend. I tried to let everyone pass and then went when I felt I was behind someone who would put me in a good position. It was difficult to manage, but I think we ended up okay.

FIA Formula 2: Congratulations on P3, Alex.