Hello everyone and welcome to Sakhir, Bahrain ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain V-Prix, round thirteen of the 2018 Formula Virtual season. Joining us for today’s Thursday press conference; on the back row we have Cory Evans of Koenigsegg Team Holmqvist and Bradley Downton of Downton FV Team. On the front row are; Will Ingram from Ingram Grand Prix, Jamie Franklin from Franklin, and Nick Forrest of North Star Racing. Welcome to you all. Reporter: We’ll start off as usual by looking back on the last V-Prix with you Cory; how massive was Hoskins’ podium last time out for the team? And how has it affected his chances of retaining his seat? Cory Evans: The podium was a huge boost for the team. We were expecting a lot more coming into this season and it has not delivered which has slightly deflated everyone, but the podium was a great surprise. Our strategy guys absolutely nailed the calls and it paid off handsomely. We always knew Will was talented, but this has absolutely reminded us and given us serious thought to our line-up for 2019. Reporter: Speaking of which; Beyer is replacing Kinnumen for this race, is this likely to be just for the weekend here in Bahrain or is there something else going on behind the scenes? CE: Tumo was dropped because of what happened last time out, the move was ridiculous and we felt he should be taught a lesson, that is unacceptable. Unfortunately since the rumours began to pick up that he was moving to Franklin next season, relationships have somewhat broken down with Tumo. He has become uninterested and difficult to work with. As such, we can confirm Tumo will not race again with Holmqvist this season, but Beyer will. An official announcement on this and what else will happen in the remaining races will be released shortly. As for Tumo, there have been further discussions behind the scenes. Expect to hear something after this weekend. Reporter: There’ve been rumours about in the last week or so that Tumo had a seat fitting at Franklin, could you shed any light on that Jamie? Jamie Franklin: He’s joining us next season. Why would this be surprising? Reporter: True enough, it just seemed convenient timing! Moving on though, to another team who got a big result in the USA; North Star. Halvosen once again showed his wet weather prowess, for him to actually lead the race at one point was a very popular sight. Did you ever think you’d lead a race this season? Nick Forrest: No, is the short answer! It was an absolutely inspired call by Johan, though. We’d told him to box for a set of inters on the radio earlier in the lap, he came back and said “No, I want full wets”, so we figured he’s the one driving, he’d know what the track conditions actually were, and we didn’t know at the time exactly what the weather was going to do. Bit of scampering around in our garage, we got the wets ready just in the nick of time, and one lap later he was leading the race! I think we were always going to slip back eventually, though, the cars behind us at the time were just too quick, the DS Mathershaws, the Franklins and the like. But yeah, we were not expecting to be anywhere near the head of the field this season, so it was a very pleasant surprise to be able to get a few laps in the lead. Reporter: Whilst he did slip back, he did manage to score a crucial point which has finally lifted you above FIRST in the Constructors’, how much does that mean to you and the team? NF: It’s something of a weight off our shoulders, to be honest. We knew we were never going to get the kind of luck that FIRST and Lopez got in Malaysia at any other race of the season, but we’ve been consistently on the fringes of the points all season long. Our tally’s steadily been ticking up, closing in on the teams ahead of us, and we’re now back in the group with Phoenix and Lopez in the Constructors’ table, as we have been on track. We’ve gotta keep up this level of performance, though, with the standings as close as they are, it could still all swing drastically the other way if we get another race that’s Malaysia levels of mad. Reporter: Absolutely, so much is still at stake throughout the field. Bradley, coming to you; how much do you think that retirement for Nathaniel has harmed his hopes of clinching a third world title this season? Bradley Downton: Obviously it hasn’t helped in the slightest. Let’s be pragmatic; we do not have the quickest car, and are some way away from having it – despite the front row lockout in Canada. Barring some kind of miracle, our chances of taking the Championship are somewhat over. Don’t get me wrong, we won’t give up. We will never give up until it is truly mathematically impossible, but we’re not going to kid ourselves, we know it is an incredibly long shot. Reporter: Hopefully it remains a relatively close battle. Jamie, Inman held Ruiz up for a fairly long period, do you think team orders need to be applied in future, if your drivers are on different strategies? JF: We had an issue with our radio, so the communications weren’t being received. That said, in the end the rain cost us more than Ruiz getting stuck behind Inman did. Reporter: For sure. Last race was another good points haul for Jean Mattson. Will, do you believe the rain aided him much or would he have been there or thereabouts regardless? Will Ingram: The rain helped us out huuugely. Super softs was the wrong strategy and Jean could have been forced onto a six stopper, the rain helped us out and at the end we just copied Hoskins! Jean drove very well considering. Reporter: On the flip side, Vasquez had a real torrid time. What went wrong for him? WI: I think we sometimes forget this is James’ first season in the sport. He’ll move on from this and become a stronger driver as a result. It has to be said that we had some pit difficulties early in the race which scuppered any small chance he had of catching up. Reporter: That’s very true, it feels like James has been around much longer! Okay guys, Fan Question time, we’ve got a couple of interesting ones today! First one we have is for Jamie; “Are you going to drop Inma… no, I’m not that puerile. However, looking back at the past few seasons, while still being right up towards the top, you’ve lost the cutting edge that provided so much success in the preceding years. What would you have done differently looking back?” JF: In the end, we got in our own heads. We didn’t get beaten by anyone else, we beat ourselves. I won’t go into the specifics, because I wouldn’t want to give away trade secrets, but we have made mistakes, we have paid the price and it will only be a matter of time before we are back on top. Reporter: Interesting answer. Okay this is a different one… Will; “Who do you think would win in a fight between Powers and Vocquelin?” laughter around the room WI: Hahahaha, great question! Well if Diego [Campos] isn’t an option… I’m gonna back the Frenchman, he must have muscles dragging that Meteor around! Reporter: Hopefully it never comes to that! Cory; “Hoskins made all the right calls at Indy, did either of you bet on race two at Epsom Downs last Sunday?” CE: stares blankly at reporter Sorry, I do not know what you’re asking. Reporter: Ha, don’t worry about it! Errr, okay this is an unusual one for you Nick; “Would you ever consider doing a Braveheart themed livery?” NF: We… wow, that is a bit of an odd one! Uh… if the circumstances were conductive to it, and we could keep our sponsors and partners happy, then I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t at least consider it. Although on the subject of liveries, we do have something in the pipeline for Belgium, the hundredth race in the series, so… something to keep an eye out for! Reporter: I for one can’t wait to see what you have lined up for that one, I’m hoping all the other teams have something special planned too! Okay final Fan Question is for you Bradley; “While you’re in a fight for 2018, how much have you been able to dedicate to 2019, especially considering the new arrangement between yourselves and Lopez that sees you take a step of independence from DS Automobiles?” BD: This is something we have been trying to balance all season. Keeping this car in the fight while ensuring we don’t slip behind with next seasons effort. All in all we think we’ve done a half decent job, but we won’t know until pre-season testing. The “split” makes little to no difference to us. Reporter: DS have stated they’re open to a third team joining their stable, are you open to that too? BD: I don’t see why not. As long as a team can bring something to the partnership as ourselves, DS Mathershaw, Lopez and Phoenix do, we are always happy to welcome more teams into the fray. Reporter: There are still a few teams who are yet to confirm their engine plans for 2019, so that could be one to watch! Now, we’re here in Bahrain for Formula Virtual’s first ever night race, so a question to all of you; how will it affect your schedule, if at all, and how much are you looking forward to this event? Jamie? JF: Given the time zones, it shouldn’t have any effect. As for the spectacle itself, it offers something different, but it will depend on more than just a different setting to create a memorable V-Prix. NF: Same as Jamie, we’re keeping everyone on base time, same as it would be back at the factory. I am quite looking forward to seeing how the cars look under the floodlights, though, I must admit, and if it does make any difference to the tyre life, that could spice up the race a little. WI: It’s quite strange getting used to being awake at night and asleep in the day – reminds me of being at uni! I’m really looking forward to the race and think it will be a fantastic spectacle. CE: It makes no difference really. I am looking forward to it however. The spectacle should be good with the cars under the lights. BD: I don’t want to be repeating comments so yeah, the other guys have covered it all basically. We keep the guys and girls on the same time and I’m excited to see the spectacle, but it would look even better if two orange cars were leading the way! Reporter: I thought you might say that Bradley! Okay guys final question to you all; what are your hopes and expectations this weekend? Same order as the last question, please! JF: I see it being no different to the other races we have had recently. We will just look to capitalise on any opportunity as we usually do. NF: Well, we performed quite well here last year, but then this year’s car isn’t quite to the same level. USA, though, was another strong race in 2017, and seemed to be the case last time out too. Hopefully that means we can get ourselves into the mix for points again here, and if any of the frontrunners hit trouble, we can be the ones ready to capitalise on it. WI: Usual answer to a usual question – ninth and tenth, picking up the pieces left by the faster four. CE: I do not think we can expect to repeat the podium from Indianapolis, but hopefully a strong double points finish. We are not really fighting for anything now as we’re in a middle group behind Ingram and ahead of the seventh place battle. I think Ocelot will go well here. Based on previous results and tracks it should suit their car. BD: We want to win, but with how strong DS Mathershaw look that appears unlikely. Another podium would be a solid result, we need to at least consolidate second in the Championship now if we’re not going to win it. Reporter: Fantastic stuff guys, thank you to all of you for attending today. Make sure you join us tomorrow, for Friday practice ahead of the Bahrain V-Prix! Comments are closed.
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