Good morning and welcome to Istanbul, Turkey for the team principal’s Thursday press conference ahead of this weekend’s Turkish V-Prix – round thirteen of the 2019 Formula Virtual World Championship. Joining us today, from left to right, are; Lucas Wilson of Lucas V-Prix, Alex Easton of Ecotricity DS Automobiles Team Phoenix, Arthur Lapierre from Red Bull DS Automobiles Team Mathershaw, Hector Seibel of Andromeda Automobilismo Brasileiro, and Ahmed Cheema from Cheema FV Racing. Welcome to the five of you. Reporter: We’ll start off the press conference today with you, Alex. Congratulations on your best ever result in Bahrain; with the team collecting nine points. With Meteor's recent woes, your upturn in pace and Holmqvist's untimely departure, sixth in the championship isn't out of question for you, how does that feel? Alex Easton: Firstly, thank you very much! It was a fantastic moment for the team and for Sergio - crossing the line in sixth – I’m honestly not sure I saw us ever getting so high, never mind in just our thirtieth V-Prix! We were all absolutely made up with it. However, I have to disagree with your stance on our championship position. We haven’t got a cat in hell’s chance. If we can somehow hold onto sixth it’d be an incredible achievement but Meteor’s pace is frightening compared to ours, we’ll keep battling as always but it’d be an enormous ask. Reporter: Sticking with you Alex, and bringing in Arthur; the season seems to have flown by and there are now just five races remaining for your two teams under the DS Automobiles umbrella. How successful would you say the short-lived partnership between the two teams has been, and will Brazil be a sad occasion for both teams - more so DS Mathershaw considering the lengthy partnership coming to an end? AE: The partnership has been unbelievably successful. I think it’s fair to say that, without DS power this season, we wouldn’t have been anywhere near the positions we’ve found ourselves in throughout the year. I have nothing but praise for the DS power unit and the manufacturer as a whole, they’ve been impeccable for us from the very first discussions to present. On top of that, the deal also provided Phoenix with one of the brightest young talents on the grid at the moment in Thierry. Thierry has grown enormously as a driver and matured as a man since he first came to us and continues to go from strength to strength each race. We now have the pleasure of calling him a full time Phoenix driver for next season, however I don’t think his trajectory ends with us. I see all the qualities in Thierry of an absolute future star as long as he continues to keep his head down, which he absolutely will. As for Brazil; yeah, it’ll be sad, for sure. However, everyone I’m sure will remain focused on the job at hand and just crack on really. I think both teams have plenty to look forward to with our respective 2020 engine suppliers, let’s just hope Phoenix make it that far. Arthur Lapierre: DS Automobiles have provided us with a wonderful source for success over the past 4 years, and certainly ending the DS Mathershaw era will be a time of introspection and celebration for what has been an extraordinary period. Our partnership with Phoenix has only lasted a season but I firmly believe both teams have got an awful lot out of it, and I’ll always look fondly on this season for that. Reporter: Arthur, after such a difficult weekend in Bahrain, surely Turkey is the perfect place to come to when the teams need a good result considering Adrien’s total domination of the track so far? What is it about this circuit that Adrien loves so much? AL: I think Turkey has always been a good hunting ground for us - as you say, Adrien has an unparalleled record around here. I think the win is probably out of the question, but the opportunity to improve our form at a circuit we’ve historically gone well at is very welcome. Reporter: Thanks Arthur. We’re going to do the fan questions now, starting with one for you Ahmed. “Are you actively campaigning for a race in Ireland? Where would you have it?” Ahmed Cheema: Yes I have mentioned a race in Ireland in the past whenever all the managers and Nic would meet up. Right now we are still a small team so we can't make it a top priority but definitely in the future I hope we have one. There's already an international circuit, Mondello Park in Kildare, it would be great so a race there in FV would be fantastic. Reporter: You’ll have to see if you can have a word with whoever takes on the series next year! A slightly political one for you here Hector; “What's your opinion on the Amazon forest fires and do you think the president is involved?” Hector Seibel: This is a complicated topic you see. There has been forest fires every year in Brazil and media has been proven time and time again to be a mechanism often used for criticism for the right wing. When I first learned of the amazon fires through international websites I was here thinking to myself that it does usually happen every year and it was kinda weird to me how no one mentioned it before when we had the left wing. It surely took the world long enough but I’m glad this issue has been brought to light. Reporter: An interesting topic, I’m sure we all agree that we hope to see some solution soon. Lucas, this one’s for you; “If you could pick any car, livery and two drivers from your team history to form your 'super team' what would you pick?” Lucas Wilson: No idea. I'd like to form a super team in the present! Reporter: Ha, good answer! Alright, Alex; “If you could change one race result in the history of FV what would you change?” AE: That’s a really tough one actually, but the first one that springs to mind is Italy in 2017. Schnyder’s retirement. Reporter: A good choice there, I think a few here agree with that. Okay final fan question for you Arthur; “Despite being a big team you've changed your identity a lot, why's that?” AL: Mathershaw Technology as a team go racing because that’s what we love to do. However, motorsport is also a business, and the way we can go racing and do what we love is through the funding we receive. Additionally, we’re privileged to have been able to represent some of the world’s most historic car brands, and the 2020 partnership with Porsche is something I hope will bring another chapter of success to both ours and their illustrious history. Reporter: It’s certainly an exciting prospect for next season and beyond. Now unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, last week we received the news that Holmqvist would be leaving the series with immediate effect and it was then revealed they have been disqualified from the championship this season. The sudden departure of Holmqvist is, obviously, very sad and not what anyone wants to see in Formula Virtual. With news in recent weeks - suggesting two of the five teams we have represented here are in their own difficulties – how do you all individually go about securing the futures of your respective teams’ participation year on year? Of course, this affects some more than others. AE: I think the general mood in the paddock this week shows just how gutted everyone is about Holmqvist’s departure from Formula Virtual; it is always incredibly sad to lose any team but I hope Cory can get things sorted out soon and comes to say hello, he’s always welcome in our garage. As for securing our future, err… I’m probably not the best person to ask right now, considering! Nervously laughs No but seriously, it’s no secret now that we are in quite a bit of bother; so much so that the races have become a bit of a sideshow to our negotiations to try to get people on board and get the money flowing again. AL: The first thing I wish to do is wish Cory and the Holmqvist team all the best. This question follows on from before - without the funding of our partners, we couldn’t go racing. We are privileged that we have a contract for the next three seasons to run as the Porsche Motorsport factory team in Formula Virtual - that kind of security allows for significant long-term planning which can only do us good. AC: It's a massive shame to see Holmqvist leave, they've improved massively over the last few years and pulled off some shock podiums over their history. I wish Cory the best of luck for the future and hope everything goes well for him. While we are a small team I don't think we are under too much pressure for staying alive, we have some funds, we have a good financial plan so the team is stable. Of course though as you mentioned unfortunately it's not the same for everyone, and hopefully the two teams here can sort out their problems. It's a pretty tight knit community here and we all try to look out for each other. HS: For a new team like us it is quite difficult to see many years ahead of time. We usually try to work with what we got for now and take a little step each day towards the future. LW: I don't think I need to say much on this. Funding is not really an issue. Reporter: Thank you guys, I think it’s clear we’re all behind the struggling teams and wish them the best for their battles to come. Ahmed; when you signed the deal to be powered by Alfa Romeo in your first season in the series, did you expect to be so close to Ocelot? How pleased are you with your first season so far? AC: Rai did tell us over the winter that he wasn't expected to be very competitive, but yes we weren't expecting to be this close, though in fairness the gap was far bigger at the start of the season. As for how pleased am I, compared to pre-season expectations this year has been really great, especially USA and Germany, we were barely expecting to qualify often yet we've had some really competitive races. The team really stuck together despite not competing in the first three races, which feels like a lifetime ago, and since then we've improved massively. If we had to look at ways to improve, we missed a lot of opportunities over the season however, and I have to admit a lot of them were down to me. We don't have anyone leading the strategy department so usually I make the calls on that. Too often we've been on the wrong tyre when we've had good pace, like in Canada and Malaysia. Other times we've had other factors harm us, in Britain Nikolai was driving superbly but got held up in the pit lane, while in Spain we really had a chance at points but Perez decided to turn in on Nikolai and take him out. But still, it would be wrong to say we haven't exceeded our expectations massively, and we've had some awesome moments this year. I'll try to learn from the mistakes made and do better next year. Have to say a word for Nikolai as well, he's done outstanding for us this year and taken us way higher then perhaps we should be. He's performed well with the team and we're glad he's staying on for next year. Reporter: He’s certainly stood out this season at times. You revealed this week that Diego Campos will compete in all of the remaining V-Prix weekends this season for Cheema, how have you rated his performance in the car so far this season and is he in the running for a race seat in 2020? AC: Yes, we had some logistic issues after Germany so Lucas and I agreed that the deal between us would remain in place. We talked a bit more after Bahrain and since he was happy with Davenport we decided to keep it this way until the end of the season. We've been very impressed with Diego, his drive in Germany was fantastic and we were ecstatic with twelfth. He's been close otherwise qualifying and been unlucky, so I don't think the DNQs fairly reflect his performance so far. As for next year though, we've confirmed Milkovich and Kinnumen so at the moment no. Reporter: Regarding that deal between the two teams, Lucas; with Carson onboard what are your aims for the remaining races? LW: Our aim is to qualify both cars for every remaining race this year. Failing that, having Davenport back means we can reinstitute our Darts championship at the factory. He is still our reigning champion! Reporter: Excellent, a win-win there then! We're nearing the end of your first season back in FV, would you count it as a success and what have been your highlights? LW: I think it was a success, we came back and built a car in a very short space of time. Just getting our entry back was a huge goal and getting some very talented drivers. I think this has been a good year. Reporter: I’m sure the foundations are being put in place for plenty of success in the future for the purple team. Hector, finishing up with you; you've been using Honda engines this year which seem to have helped a lot, but with Franklin leaving will you stick with them or will you change supplier next year? HS: There are still many things to be discussed and so far we can't confirm we will be sticking with Honda for next season. Reporter: That sounds quite cryptic, I wonder how that one will pan out? From now until the end of the year, only two drivers will drop out of Q1. Do you feel more confident about making it through with both drivers? HS: It's not like we weren't qualifying anyways... the only change here is that now I am allowed to drink during Friday mornings because there isn't a Q1 to wake up to. Hopefully we take the next step for next season we abolish all types of qualifiers, so that I can drink Saturdays too. Just randomize the grid, the faster cars should manage to win anyways right?? Reporter: Hm, I’m not quite sure that’s how it’ll all work! We’ll finish up with the usual final question to all of you; what are your hopes and expectations for the weekend, and who do you think are favourites to take the victory on Sunday? AE: We expect this track to suit us quite well, a point or two would be brilliant. For the win; I’m going to say Klaas actually, I have a feeling he might just do it here. AL: I’m hoping Adrien can pull his Turkish magic again, otherwise a podium would be an excellent result for where we currently sit. I think Enrique Ruiz will take victory though. HS: We just hope to finish the race to be honest, there has been too many DNF's lately for my liking. Well that is obviously going to be our Brazilian hero Enrique Ruiz of course! AC: We're lucky that only two cars are going out in Q1 so we have a good chance if getting through with Nikolai, and having both cars through isn't out of question either. In the race, Turkey won't be our strongest track but we shouldn't be massively off the pace, so if we can manage a top twenty finish taking into account potential retirements we'll be very satisfied. As for the win, Franklin still look the strongest so Ruiz should have this I think, but Downton will be close and Kinnumen is still doing quite well. Watch Simon now grab it somehow... LW: I'm hoping for a good qualifying session so we can get some good racing action for Sunday. The best team and driver will win the race. Reporter: Excellent stuff everyone, thank you to you all for participating today and good luck for the weekend. That’s all from us here today, make sure you tune in tomorrow for Friday practice ahead of the Turkish V-Prix.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|