Round 12 Post Feature Race 1 Press Conference

__FIA Formula 2: Welcome to the Press Conference following today's first Feature Race at the Baku City Circuit. Joining us for this press conference, in third place, Dino Beganovic for DAMS Lucas Oil, in second place, Martinius Stenshorne for Rodin Motorsport, and also from Rodin Motorsport, first time Feature Race winner Alexander Dunne. Alex, starting with you, well done. Your first victory of the year. It must feel like a long time coming, but just how pleased are you with the win and your performance overall today? __

Alexander Dunne: Yeah, it's safe to say I'm pretty happy. I mean, it's nice. To be honest, there were times in the year when I questioned whether or not it was even going to happen. So, I think for the pace to have been so strong so far this weekend, not only to have won but to have finished on the podium in the Sprint Race as well, I think so far we couldn't have really asked for much more. The team have done a really good job in turning it around. The pace last weekend and the pace so far this weekend has been phenomenal. So, I think as nice as it is for myself, just as much credit should go to them as it should to me.

FIA Formula 2: The Safety Car worked out in your favour, but how do you handle the red flags when you've been in the zone and have to step out of the car, reset and then get back in it again?

Dunne: I was quite happy there were Red Flags, to be honest, because I really needed to go to the toilet before I started the race. So, I did the same thing in Qualifying, so maybe a toilet break during or just before each session seems to work pretty well. So, no, for me it didn't change a whole lot. I think you kind of just reset and go again. So, it didn't change the world for me, to be honest.

FIA Formula 2: You're well and truly back in the frame for the lead in the Championship leaving Baku. Starting from the front row tomorrow, you must be feeling pretty good about your chances.

Dunne: Yeah, we're solidly back in the fight, which is really nice. To be honest, three or four rounds ago, I completely switched off from the Championship and, as far as I was concerned, there was no way of even getting close. But now we're more than close. So, I think game on, and I'll try and get the most out of it tomorrow.

FIA Formula 2: Thank you very much. Congratulations on a great day today. Martinius, moving on to you, it's P2 and a one-two for your team. You had to fight your way back to the second step on the podium. Talk us through your race, because you made some big overtakes throughout.

Martinius Stenshorne: Yeah, I think our race was really good. The pace was good. We had some good overtakes and some good restarts. It was a bit unfortunate that the Safety Car came out right after the box, so I lost some positions there and gained them back, and then the red flag put me back again. So, I had to do some overtaking this race, but luckily we got it done.

FIA Formula 2: It's been a very strong weekend for Rodin so far: one-two in the Feature Race and one-two in both Qualifying sessions. You and Alex have looked so quick all weekend. Is there anything specific that has worked for you at Baku?

Stenshorne: Well, I think the team has done a great job giving both me and Alex a good car. It's not always that you can have a car that can put it on pole position and win races. So, a big thank you to them. I think me and Alex are doing a good job as well to deliver these results, but a big thank you to the team for giving us a really good car.

FIA Formula 2: With what you've learned since Qualifying and how things worked out in the first Feature Race, it will be your turn to start from pole position tomorrow. You must be feeling good about your chances to win it tomorrow, correct?

Stenshorne: Yeah, I feel good. I think we had a good Sprint Race this morning as well, gaining some positions and showing good pace. We have to see how the race plays out. A lot of stuff can happen. We just have to see how it goes, but I'm confident for tomorrow that we can bring home another good result for the team.

FIA Formula 2: Thank you. Good job today. Dino, thank you for waiting. It's P3 for you. After winning the Sprint Race earlier today, you were able to use the Safety Car to your advantage. Tell us about your race this afternoon and how it was from the car.

Dino Beganovic: Yeah, first of all, it was a great day. I think, in general, from this morning to the afternoon, we knew we were strong, but it wasn't on my bingo card to have another podium today. I think it was a good race. Obviously, we made some moves at the beginning, at the race start and on all the restarts, and then we got that Safety Car at the perfect time when we wanted to box, so we got a bit lucky there. Then, after that, we were able to execute it well. Both Alex and Martinius were very strong, so I couldn't keep up with them, but in general I'm very happy with today.

FIA Formula 2: It was pole position for you in Madrid and back-to-back wins from Madrid to this morning, and another podium this afternoon. You've been very competitive over the past few rounds. It's been tough to get to that point. What changed? What has put you at this level of competitiveness right now?

Beganovic: I'm not sure. Obviously, Madrid was new for everybody, and it was a street track that I normally feel comfortable with. But other than that, I had a good summer break. After that, we have just worked well with the team. We also had some solid rounds before the summer break as well, so it's very nice to have that result in the bag now and carry on that streak. Hopefully, we can finish this weekend off well tomorrow as well.

FIA Formula 2: We see Alex closing the gap to the people in front of him in the standings. You're currently fifth and also closing in. Is a top-three finish on the cards for you?

Beganovic: Mathematically, yes, but I will be realistic and say it will be tough to get there. We need to be at our best, and a little bit more, for every weekend and every session. I'm not going to exclude it. We will do our best, and then we will see where we arrive and just try to get all the points that we have on the table.

FIA Formula 2: Thank you very much, Dino.