Round 11 Post Qualifying Press Conference

FIA Formula 2: Hello and welcome to the Press Conference of the top three qualifiers for the FIA Formula 2 Championship in Monza. In third place we have Paul Aron from Hitech Pulse-Eight, in second Isack Hadjar from Campos Racing and taking his maiden Pole Position today is Zane Maloney from Rodin Motorsport. Zane, congratulations it feels remarkable to say this, but it is your first Pole Position in Formula 2, it must feel like that has been a long time coming.
Zane Maloney: Yeah it has been a long time coming. We had the pace from Practice this morning so we knew going into Qualifying that we just needed to put together a good lap. The whole session, until five minutes to go I had no lap on the board. The Red Flag kept coming out when I was in the last corner. It was very nerve-wracking but we knew we had the pace so I just put together a decent lap. That was good enough for Pole today.
FIA Formula 2: A couple of Red Flags, a really small margin between yourself and Isack. Just how tough was it to put together that last flying lap knowing that you only had one chance?

Maloney: it was very tough. We went from the Medium to the Supersoft between Practice and Qualifying -that’s always difficult. I don’t think anyone put together an amazing lap, it was just doing what we could. With all the Red Flags, the gravel on the track, the dirt, it was a chaotic session. Of course, in those sessions you are happy to be in the top five but to get Pole is a big bonus.
FIA Formula 2: You have raced here last year, what do you think of Monza and the resurfacing how different was the track to get on top of today?
Maloney: I much prefer it. Especially Ascari with how the kerbs are now. I think the resurfacing means there is more grip to be had. As a driver you like that. How they have done the kerbs now means it’s more flowing and natural to drive. I have really enjoyed the new tarmac. We will see in the races, it’s also a lot less bumpy so maybe the racing is better as well.
FIA Formula 2: Congratulations, Isack P2 for you less than a tenth off Pole, are you satisfied with a spot on the front row?
Isack Hadjar: I am happy because we had a tricky Free Practice. We were a bit off the pace, and we made the right adjustments on the car to be back in the game. It was a nerve-wracking session for me as well. Before my fastest lap I only completed one lap. One lap to understand everything is not enough. I have no regrets. I felt like I did a decent lap, it’s fine margins but we are in Monza so it’s normal.
FIA Formula 2: How difficult do those interruptions make it in Qualifying in terms of the rhythm you’ve got, looking for those braking points and really pushing to the limits – does it break things up?

Hadjar: It definitely breaks the rhythm, but I saw it coming, a Qualifying like this. We are in Monza; all the tow games are expected. We knew it would be a messy session. I didn’t expect this scenario but we adapted really well. We took P2 so I am happy.
FIA Formula 2: There are four race weekends, with two races each left this season, are you still focused on going all out for the win in every race or does the Championship picture start to come to the fore?

Hadjar: As you can see, I am trying my best every time to put it on Pole, put myself in a good position on Sunday. That is all I am trying to do here.
FIA Formula 2: Thank you, Paul third place this weekend after back-to-back Pole Positions, how was qualifying from your perspective?
Paul Aron: It was tricky for sure, it always is in Monza. This resurfacing didn’t make it easier in my opinion. We have all been here in other categories before so normally you know what to expect but with the resurfacing, the car felt different on this surface it kind of felt like a new track, at least for me. In the Qualifying there was a lot of Red Flags and we didn’t get many laps. I also only got one lap before my final lap shootout. You know it’s going to be the lap so it is high pressure stuff for everyone. Starting in the top five in Monza is always great. It would have been great to get a third Pole in a row but I think Zane just had the pace today. He was super quick already from Practice so it was well-deserved.
FIA Formula 2: You’ve had those two Pole Positions before, there were points for those but the three races since, you’ve not scored. How important is it for you to convert this strong starting position into a good score this weekend?
Aron: It would certainly do good for my mental health. I’ve had some very nice Fridays at the last two events but left the weekend very sad. In the last three races we have not scored any points. There has been some bad luck, some mistakes, everything all together. In Spa we were on for a podium and some good points but we stopped on the last lap, so we will just hope for a clean weekend. It is clear that we have had the pace this season generally. I’m sure the race pace will be fine as well. Just need to stay out of trouble and try and bring some points in.
FIA Formula 2: How do you think the two races will play out, will it be tough for anyone to break away given how strong the tow effect can be here?
Aron: We will have to see. I think this resurfacing will play a big role in the races more so than in Qualifying because we don’t know what to expect with the tyre degradation. It could be much less, like Zane said, I think there is a bit more grip on this surface so in a way it could be less but you never really know what to expect. Every surface is different, we will just have to see and figure it out. We get a first idea tomorrow but we don’t run the Supersoft before Sunday – I assume. Tomorrow is the Sprint Race so there will be a lot of learning. I feel like the races will be quite interesting. It’s never easy to break away here. They moved the DRS 100 meters earlier this year compared to last year on the main straight, so it will be tough to break away.
FIA Formula 2: Thank you very much, well done today.