Hello, and welcome to the press conference for the British V-Prix at Silverstone! Joining us today we have Bradley Downton of Downton FV Team, Arthur Lapierre of Coca Cola Team Porsche Mathershaw, Jamie Franklin of JFPT Franklin Honda, Lilly Westwood of Samsung Galaxy S Porsche UK Team Westwood Racing Technology, and Lucas Wilson of Johnnie Walker Lucas V-Prix. Scott Parkin-FVTV: We'll start out with you Jamie. The team has dropped outside the top three in the standings, though you are only just behind Mathershaw and not too far of Lopez. Would you say finishing at least 3rd this year is a must for the team?
Jamie Franklin: Must is a strong word. It's not vital for the team's survival, so in that sense, it's not a must. It's what we want. We want to be competing for the title. This year is the most competitive it has ever been at the front, and luck hasn't necessarily been on our side on a few occasions, so I'm not too concerned about dropping just a couple of points back at this early stage. SP-FVTV: We'll be interested to see what happens when the luck swings your way! Moving to Bradley, you experienced the lows and highs of motorsport - the heartbreak in Australia followed by an unchallenged win in South Africa. Is the team's emotions to all this any different from back when you first started winning consistently in 2017? Bradley Downton: Not at all. Everything feels as powerful now as it did back then. You never know in this business - and this series especially - when your time might come to an end, and that may be scoffed at given we have been contending right at the front since 2017, but we're seeing more teams competitive every season, and nothing lasts forever. Because of that, we treat every success like it might be our last - though will strive to ensure it isn't - but that means the heartbreak of Australia was no less painful to Malaysia 2017. SP - FVTV: It's that passion that keeps the sport alive! Next I have a question for Arthur. Since you were last here, you've won a race, taken a podium and arguably should have won another. You said after Japan you were neither at the front or back, do you think you've moved towards the former since then? Arthur Lapierre: I’d say that’s just proof of how wonderful a job both our drivers and our team have done since pre-season. A focus on our aerodynamic stability has yielded huge gains that has proven success on numerous occasions as the season has progressed, and while we don’t think we’ve moved forwards necessarily on pace, we’ve certainly learned a lot more about how to get the most out of the 921 RSR-21. SP - FVTV: Another driver of yours that's doing a great job is Allar Kangur. Kangur has been on fire this season, with three podiums already in the Lopez. You seemed to have a good working relationship with him during his time in Mathershaw, would you consider welcoming him back? AL: For sure, Allar is a big part of our future planning, and his place as a Porsche Young Professional is testament to that - we’ve always supported our young drivers, and we are looking forward to seeing how he will continue to develop. SP - FVTV: I'm sure we all are! Now onto Lilly. As things stand, you're set to drop back into Q1 again after getting out of it last year. Your main rivals around that area seem to be AMR, NSR and Ingram - would you consider yourself unlucky to have ended up behind them? Lilly Westwood: I think in a way, yes. Ingram's shock podium has elevated them away from a Q1 battle they arguably should be worried about, but it was an incredible performance. AMR have looked quicker than us and executed their opportunities nicely, while NSR I would argue are unlucky to be having such a struggle this year. But no, we knew it would be a tough start to the year, but I will admit we've been caught slightly off guard by the increased competitiveness of the field this season. SP - FVTV: Moving onto Lucas now, you've had a great start to this season - one of Lucas' best in their history. What do you think has been the key to your up turn in form this year? And has this changed the atmosphere at the team? Lucas Wilson: Honestly? Just maturing our team. We've learned so much on our return to the sport. I feel like we have become a more slick team, able to adapt to rules and regulations very quickly. I think that became evident this year - with the several unique changes we have on the car this year. I know all you photographers here have been very keen on trying to photograph them! But we were able to make those tough design choices because we trust in each other. I think we have the most dynamic and adaptable team in FV at the moment. SP - FVTV: Ok back to the top, Jamie again! Your rookie driver Forini has been fairly exceptional, with a podium and three 4th places. He's been well ahead of Addison as well, why do you think that is? Or do you feel Addison has been unlucky so far? JF: Danilo has gone beyond all expectations of him, and realistically under different circumstances could have taken victory in all but maybe one of the V-Prix. It's been strange to see Nick a little further back. His one lap pace hasn't quite been there this year so far, but he had a great weekend here last season, so I think that will give him a bit of a boost and we'll do what we can to support him. SP - FVTV: It'll be interesting to see how far Forini can go not only this season, but in general. Staying with you now, it's no secret that Franklin and Honda have enjoyed a close and successful partnership since 2013. What's the future of Honda in FV? Are they planning on expanding, or will they continue to exclusively supply Franklin? JF: There's no reason for us not to continue. We work extremely well together. As for supplying other teams...we aren't actively looking anymore. We'll listen if any other teams come knocking, but there's no guarantee. SP - FVTV: Interesting! Now then let's go back to Brad. For a while now you've been a top team year after year, the only other bar Franklin and Mathershaw. Recently we've seen Lopez and FIRST fight at the top, do you think we're starting to see a change in the pecking order? BD: It's tricky to say. FIRST have at least been consistently towards the front for a second year in a row now which is promising for them, but with Lopez it is only really their first proper season contending right at the front. Let's wait and see what next year holds. I don't doubt however that other teams will start to progress too, especially with the way the finances are structured now. It's going to be incredibly difficult - borderline impossible - to maintain consistently great performance as it stands without significant change within the team. SP - FVTV: We are definitely in a different era of finance and development priority nowadays. Another question for you now. VWRS has started up and obviously your young driver, Matteo Zetticci, is the favourite for the title. We already know he's being promoted next year, but would anything less than first this year be a disappointment? BD: For Matteo himself, definitely! Look, we have to be honest - he should be in with a great shout, but there are a number of talented drivers around him. Additionally, the technical issues that can strike the spec cars - as we already saw in the opening round - could play heavily. As long as we're convinced Matteo has done the best he could with the hand he gets dealt, we're happy. SP - FVTV: And I'm sure he'll do just that. Okay Arthur again, Ruiz has now been in the team for about 20 races, and you've run Simon since the beginning of FV. How would you say the two compare in terms of how easy they are to work with and what type of feedback they give? AL: They’re both brilliant to work with for different reasons, and they complement each other very well indeed. Adrien has been with us from day one, and that integration with our working practices is invaluable - he’s always working with us to test the next upgrade package, and helping to define the technical direction of the team both for the near and long term. Enrique’s talents very much lie in his impetus - he’s just relentless, exacting in his standards for sure, but also we know he’ll never give less than the full measure for this team and his work. Between the two of them I’d say we have the perfect driver pairing. SP - FVTV: They are certainly formiddable, with several titles between them. Lucas now, Thunstrom has had a very good start to his FV career, having scored points twice and taken a fastest lap. As someone who has been a team manager of many competitive drivers, how much has he impressed you? LWil:I think he has been amazing. We always try and go for the best talent in the world. I would say Thunstrom is one of the top 5 best drivers anywhere in the world today. Not just because of his pure talent in the car. But also his work ethic. I've known him and Axl, who is one of our Sim Techs, to stay at the factory practicing well after everyone else has gone home. I have to remind him sometimes that a little sleep is important! SP - FVTV: As well as Thunstrom, joining you this year is a familiar face. Your sister, Emma Wilson, is back in the team for the first time in 6 years as a test driver. We haven't seen her on track yet in the season, do you plan on giving her some track time in practice? LWil: Yes, and we are very glad to have her. She has been integral to the development of this car. Obviously with Thunstrom being a rookie we really want him to he in the car as much as possible. But when she agreed to come back, we both understood that she wanted to do more than do Sims. So we'll have an announcement shortly which I think will answer the question. SP - FVTV: Now a couple questions for you Lilly. First up, the team's overall form has dropped quite significantly from last year. Do you think in hindsight too much effort was put into 2020, or would you stand by what you've done so far since your return to FV? LWes: I stand by every choice I've made and everything the team has done since returning to FV. And despite what is arguably a more competitive field, so far this season our record is actually better than last year with a higher best finish. We like to have a strong package toward the end of the season and we unfortunately do surrender some ground at the start of the year. As I've said before, we know what we can get out of our car every year so the early performances don't tend to worry us. SP - FVTV: You do have form. Secondly, Samsung were a sponsor that joined you this year, adding to your list of main sponsors previously - thinking of DHL and Southampton. How important would you consider sponsors to be for a FV team's performance? LWes: Well sponsors have a direct impact on performance with increased finances or other perks for one. But also a sponsor can be a statement. If you sign someone like a well known tech, oil, watch, or energy drink brand, I would say that sends a vastly different message of inent to everyone else than say a delivery service or a football club would. So I would say sponsors have a very large impact on team's performance but can also be indicative of their ambition. SP - FVTV: Ok thanks for that guys. A couple questions for all of you! Here comes the first one. Silverstone has been a mainstay as the holder of the British V-Prix and few would argue against that. However, Britain is home of many brilliant circuits. Would any of you be interested in seeing one of them hold a race, perhaps as a second British V-Prix? JF: Honestly? I don't think we need another British V-Prix. This is a World Championship, and we have the opportunity to visit fantastic circuits all across the globe, reaching fans worldwide. We already have a tough time selecting which tracks and countries will be hosting, so adding another British venue on to the calendar seems a little excessive if you ask me. BD: Instead of Silverstone? Probably not. This is classically the home of British motorsport now and is just fantastic, the facilities especially are incredible. An additional British V-Prix I would certainly be up for, however we have a number of fantastic tracks worldwide vying for a place on the calendar, so it probably isn't fair or realistic. But put me down as a vote for Thruxton - that would be ace, and local! AL: I always loving coming back to Britain, and Silverstone is a great venue for sure. The UK is home as you say to awesome tracks, Donington and Brands Hatch come to mind for sure, and also maybe places such as Snetterton, or even going back to the history of the Birmingham street circuit! I do think however if any country should hold more than one race, it’s possibly not the UK - the American market is something we as the Porsche works team is very keen to expand on, alongside activation of the South African and Asian markets with venues such as Kyalami and Dubai, with potential for a return to China high on our list as well. LWes: I don't think so, I don't know if we would get good racing at say Brands or something. My knowledge of british circuits isn't that great though! However if we were talking a country getting a second V-Prix, I'd immediately be pointing at the states. LWil: Absolutely! And that has been something I've been campaigning for with the FV management for a number of years now. Britain is still where a lot of teams are based. All of our parts from wheels to circuit breakers come from British Isles. Plus, the fans are so passionate, it's unbelievable. It's my favourite race of the year and this year is gonna be great. We are gonna have the annual Lucas concert there as well. So I'm buzzing. SP - FVTV: And to round it out, as we got no fan questions, I'm sure you all expect it by now but here it is; what are your team's aims for this weekend and do you have any predictions for the front? Additionally, which four teams do you think will be in Q1 after this race? LWil: We showed great pace in the car last race weekend. I would love to get a podium here. I think we have the ability to do that this year. But at this weekend especially. More realistically, getting both cars in the points. Trying to overtake Ingram in the standings and see if we can start closing that gap to Ocelot. LWes: Our aim has to be an attempt to make up another place. Points like last year would be lovely, but that may be out of reach. I think at the front we'll see a Downton masterclass, with Lopez within a stone's throw at least. As for Q1 predictions? Besides the bottom three of Highwind, Arrow and Meteor I can't bet on us escaping the clutches of Q1. It would be great to and for sure it's the aim but we'll have to see how our pace looks when we fire everything up tomorrow! AL: For us, Britain looks like one of our bigger challenges, so maximising performance with a good haul of points will be a success. As for Q1, we’ve got many friends in that fight as well as technical partners, so it would be inappropriate for us to comment on such a hard fought and close fight! BD: Same as ever, we want to score more points than our rivals and extend our advantage. Ideally, it would be great if we could get through qualifying without traffic being a huge issue as it has been so far. Predictions for the front? It'll be one of the five front running teams we've seen so far, but difficult to nail down who - hopefully us! As for the four teams, I think Arrow, Highwind and Meteor are guaranteed, and I think Westwood have shown more pace than North Star, so if they get the luck they should be okay. But of course, if we get a random race - it could change completely! JF: As always, we want to win. We need to rectify our qualifying performances to maximise our race pace, which more often than not has been solid this year. As for the teams in Q1, it's too difficult to say, simply because last year this race threw a spanner in the works, so there's every potential that could happen again this year. SP - FVTV: And that concludes today's press conference. Thankyou very much to all the team principals and to all of you for watching. We look forward to seeing you when the cars hit the track tomorrow!
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