Mari Boya: 'More to come' as he eyes triple score following best qualifying of 2026

Mari Boya was very happy with his and PREMA Racing's efforts in Baku Qualifying, finishing up P6 and P4 in sessions one and two respectively.

The Spaniard was even eying up a better result as he completed his lap in Q2 without a slipstream down the main start/finish straight.

Boya was pleased despite the potential left on the table, explaining that things were smooth from the first lap in Practice for PREMA in Baku.

"I'm feeling super good," he said in the paddock after the sessions. "It's a feeling I would say I forgot about. But I think there's still something in there. I needed this result, it's my first time in Baku and I think the momentum from Madrid is helping, but as I said, we've had a lot of transition in the team.

"For a driver, it's tough because you need to adapt to the category but now we're pushing a lot, and every week we are improving.

"I felt we deserved a top ten in qualifying, maybe two rounds earlier. Even with bad luck, we were fighting here, and I think we proved we can be at the front. Being alone on a track without much slipstream, I feel even better.

"And also around a super technical track, and again, it’s new for me. It's something I'm really proud of. There's a lot of work behind the scenes and now it's starting to pay off. I'm the same guy from the beginning of the season, simply with a better environment around me."

PREMA opted to put Boya in clean air for his final run instead of getting involved in the games between multiple drivers for track position.

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Though he lost out on a tow to the line, it meant his lap was down to pure pace, something he says is looking good this weekend.

He added that it left him feeling mixed with the thought of a potential top three on the cards had he gone with the tow. But he praised his team for how they managed a difficult session.

"It was really important to execute the plan you had in mind with your team and just focus on that. There are so many things that can happen during a session, and you just need to do what you want to do the best you can. And I think it's what we did.

"We had a good conversation with the team and radio messages and they made good calls, and I think it was well executed. It was a good call for the second set and even going alone we did the lap time, so I'm happy with it.

"It's also strange asking for a pole or maybe wanting a pole because I've never been in the top 10 this season. But, I'm really optimistic and I think P2 was more than possible. Still, I'm happy and I will take it, it's a good position to start both races."

Looking ahead to the Friday races, Boya is aiming to secure vital points after a tough campaign to date.

He says the team will be diving into the data overnight as he feels there's even more pace to come from his car, something he believes bodes well for the remainder of Round 12.

"There's still things to work on. When you are more within the window in the car, it's even easier to identify where you need the last bits to make progress. When you are lost, it's difficult to identify the main issue and then work.

"I feel there are still a few bits that we can improve, being in the top five and having things to improve feels amazing. Something new for me this year."