Round 9 Post-Feature Race Press Conference

FIA Formula 2: Welcome everyone to today's FIA Formula 2 Press Conference following the Feature Race here in Budapest and joining us P3 from Invicta Racing, it's Rafael Câmara. In second place from ART Grand Prix, it's Kush Maini and from Campos Racing capturing his first Feature Race win of the season, it's Noel León. Noel, congratulations. First Feature Race win here in Hungary. How does that feel?

Noel León: Feels great to be honest. Today we did a very good race. We got a bit lucky with the VSC on our pit stop but it's been a good weekend and to be honest I'm very happy to bounce back like this after a tough weekend in a Spa and it's the best way to go into the summer.

FIA Formula 2: Yeah, some quick thinking by you and the team to bring you in. Can you talk about that strategy call? How much were you on the radio with the team in that moment?

León: Yeah, in that moment I was just driving around because from Lap 6 to Lap 10 I was screaming on the radio to box and my engineer told me to shut up and drive. So from that lap onwards I started to only drive and I let him to decide when to stop. To be honest, the Soft today was quite impressive. I didn't, I think all of us didn't expect to drive that long on the Soft tyres. So yeah, it was a good call. We got lucky at the end of the day and yeah, that's give us the win.

FIA Formula 2: Summer break coming up. Do you feel like having this victory here now is perfect timing for yourself?

León: Yes, perfect timing. I think so. It cannot be even better to be in the feature race, you know, in Budapest and now to move home to holidays a bit and we will work harder for months.

FIA Formula 2: Congratulations on the victory. Kush, coming to you, your third podium of the season. Can you take me through your race?

Kush Maini: Yeah, sure. I think overall I was very happy with everything. I think we did a great first stint and we did a great pit stop, great in lap, just the out lap maybe a bit could have been a bit better, but otherwise I wouldn't change anything. The team and I did that race and I was very proud of us. Sometimes it doesn't go your way. Today I feel like we deserved that win, but also Noel has been quite unlucky the last few rounds. So what goes around comes around. I think our luck is coming and our time is also coming. So we'll just keep pushing forwards.

FIA Formula 2: You had such strong pace in this one. How challenging was it to close the gap to Noel there at the end?

Maini: Yeah we were just chatting about it. I think he had some issues with his brakes and stuff, but today I think we had the best car. Me and Rafa had probably the best pace. But end of the day, you know, like we said, we three were very close on pace all weekend and when you're so close, a small little bit of luck can change all weekend. And Noel was there, he was in P2 and it fell his way this time. But yeah, that's all right.

FIA Formula 2: Well, congratulations on the P2. Rafa, coming to you, your fifth podium of the season. How did this race play out for you?

Rafael Câmara: Yeah, I think my one was a bit boring, just staying behind someone the whole race. Enjoyed the laps where I had the clean air, but yeah, just trying to maximise when I could. I think the outlap was a very strong one. And then obviously I think maybe without the VSC, we could maybe pass Noel. But yeah, it's racing, it happens sometimes, but the good thing is that we had a good pace, a good car. Overall, a positive weekend.

FIA Formula 2: With your podium, you've collected a good number of points in the Championship Standings. Do you feel this puts you on a good trajectory heading into the summer break?

Câmara: I think we had a few rounds that we always in the points. I think this is quite important for the Championship. It was a good way to finish this first part of the Championship, let's say. Now it would be good to have the break, have a look at what we can improve, what we can do better for the next one. But now, we'll just go for holidays and recharge the batteries.

FIA Formula 2: Congratulations on the P3.