Good morning and welcome to Mexico City, Mexico's capital for the Team Representatives’ Press Conference ahead of the Mexican V-Prix – round fourteen of the 2023 Formula Virtual World Championship. Joining us today, from left to right, are; William Ingram from Corsair Ingram V-Prix, Alex Easton from Royal Phoenix Motorsport, Stefano Gorgoglione of Scuderia Maserati, Adrian Arnello from Arnello Milner & Ronson Autosport and Roy Seifert from Bitburger Seifert Racing Team. Welcome to all five of you! Scott Parkin - FVTV: "Welcome everybody to this lovely day here in Mexico City, i think we should start with the biggest suprise of the last race - Will, what a team effort last time out to see the chequered flag as 2nd place. Congrats for that result!
Talk us through your emotions for the whole weekend and especially after you realized that Allar Kangur made it. It was a great feeling for sure." William Ingram: "I think I talked my way through Allar's podium during commentary last week! It was fantastic, brilliant. Thoroughly deserved by Allar, brilliant job by the strategy team. Perfectly executed. 16 races at Indy next year?" SP - FVTV: "Haha, it would be a quite boring calendar for sure. Allar definitely deserved that 2nd place after this hard season. Now i have a question for Alex. The United States was a mediocre race for Phoenix. Decent result from Will Taylor who finished 9th and securing two important points for the team. Ott had not a great race. How would you describe the race weekend?" Alex Easton: "Honestly, it’s about where we are right now, pace-wise. A lot of teams around us have had the resources to continue developing their car much later than us and we just have to accept that, I’m afraid. So, all in all, the race weekend at Indy was actually quite decent. A couple of points for Will is definitely something to be content with." SP - FVTV: "Thanks for the answer Alex. I will now give the journalists the chance to ask their questions, if you want to be first, raise your hand please....i think our mexican colleague was the first one. Manuel, your question please." Manuel Rodriguez - revistaV: "Hola Stefano, the question is for you. Many teams were active on the market in the last few weeks. Maserati remains silent as many others, when can we expect to see some action from your side and do you have a specific plan for the line-up?" Stefano Gorgoglione: "Everyone in the team has three letters printed in their mind: W-I-N. Winning takes time, takes effort, and we're trying all our best to do it. We have no reason to opt for different drivers as they have both performed good, relatively to our pure pace, so we preferred to invest in development. Johan and Will have both performed on point with the car expectations and we couldn't ask more from them. I don't think that even Matteo, Klaas, Enrique or Nathaniel would have done more, as we are still not competitive. Plus, we have a young driver as our reserve, that we will surely promote as Will retires." SP - FVTV: "Thank you Stefano, the next one is from Mike Foster, pitstop.us. Your question please." Mike Foster - pitstop.us: "Thank you Scott. I have a question for Stefano and Roy: As we heard both your teams are competing in eVirtual this year in addition to your FV program. Can you tell us what's the reason behind that decision and a quick look into the future on how you will perform?" SG: "Well, we think that every branch of motorsport can make a team improve, in different ways. Investing in eV means that our team can put effort in more ways and bring developement in different areas. Plus, eVirtual is a young championship and there is no established dominance, this can mean better fights and more spectacular races and, of course, our main rival will always be Roy, "In good times and in bad times" laughs" Roy Seifert: "Maybe we will fight a little more to the front Stefano laughs - ehhm i can only agree to what Stefano said already really. The idea for the project "SRT" is to give talents their breakthrough in eVirtual to give them a chance for a seat in FV. It's all about development for the drivers, the grid is packed with potential and very good drivers as you can tell from previous years. With Sebastien, we have another french driver on board and a fast driver of course, with Cosmo Roberts, we have a promising talent for our line-up. But to come back to the question, the main reason is to develop young drivers to FV drivers." SP - FVTV: "Thank to both of you. The next question is from Neil Allenby, FVTV. Your question please." Neil Allenby - FVTV: "Question for Adrian. A few weeks ago, Downton announced that Nathaniel Powers joins Downton for 2024 and ends his career at Downton. As one of the few people around the paddock, you've experienced how its like to work with him. Please tell us about how its like having him in the team and what it means to you that he raced for your team?" Adrian Arnello: "It was incredible all the way through, for sure. And, to have worked with us over every other team on the grid bar the Downton lads and lasses meant a hell of a lot to us! Professional is an understatement. He was a "first to enter, last to leave" calibre of champion. We'd often yarn for ages over the car, the track, the competitors, everything. He was laser focused on it all! What a lad." NA - FVTV: "Speaking of Powers leaving your team, can you tell us what do you have planned for the 2nd seat, who will get it?" AA: "We're still putting pen to paper here, but we shall all know very soon!" NA - FVTV: "Thank you Adrian. That's all Scott." SP - FVTV: Okay, next one is from Manuel again. Your question please." MR - revistaV: "Question for Roy. Hello Roy, with the season coming to an end, we noticed that some of your goals were not reached. I think your sponsors must be unhappy about that, could this mean some of you current sponsors will quit you long-term-project?" RS: "Yeah... the goals were a bit optimistic that's true. Our sponsors were hyped up for the first season but were disappointed as we all are at the factory and on track. I am in talks with a lot of team, our main sponsor is fixed, that's what i can tell, they know its long-term as you said Manuel, so they know that this performance right now is part of it. We will have to wait and see what wee can do in that area." SP - FVTV: "Thank you Roy. The next One is from Rebecca Parnell, XtremeV." Rebecca Parnell - XtremeV: "Thanks Scott. I have two questions. The first one is for William. Hello William, me and many of my colleagues wondered why you released Henri Ruotsalainen. We heard many teams are interested in the signing of the finn. Why did you made that decision? I'm sure, Henri is good enough for Formula Virtual as he shows in VWRS." WI: "We think Ruotsey will be brilliant next season. In fact that's why we let him go. Simply, due to the banning of driver loans we made the decision for the good of his career to let him go so he could get a well earned seat elsewhere. We have two brilliant drivers already and we couldn't stand in Henri's way. It's disappointing that that's what's had to happen but we wish him all the best!" RP - XtremeV: "Oh... okay, i hope he finds a spot on the grid. My last question is for AMR. Hey Adrian, from the start of the season until now, we had to notice that you car has stagnated in terms of performance or lets say it in a other way... it seems like you didnt develop the car as much as others did this season. All in all it is a great season for AMR. All in again for next season as it seems?" AA: "We simply haven't gone in the right direction this time. We knew we had a hell of a battle on with Downton and so we put a ton into the car, but we're chasing ghosts now, and the changes we made just haven't worked. Safe to say, we're hedging bets on 2024! Nah yeah it's been a phenomenal year for us. We are all so proud of what we've managed, and that first win will stay in memory forever. For a team our size to take on the giants, it's been epic." RP - XtremeV: "Thanks Adrian, that's everything Scott." SP - FVTV: Thanks Rebecca. We have one fan question before i will finish the conference: The question from a Phoenix fan as it seems haha. "ph0en1xfan" asks: Everyone knows that Phoenix is named after a fictional creature. What are your thoughts on other mythical creatures? Dragons or minotaurs for example? Why do you picked the phoenix for your team? p.s: send me an autograph Alex, PLEASE!!!" AE: "A Phoenix fan!? Someone get this person some signed Phoenix merchandise, maybe one of our famous Phoenix mugs too! That’s an interesting question! Actually, the name Phoenix was something myself and Christian [Sear] had thought up as a bit of a pipe dream way before it came to fruition, but I can’t remember exactly the reasoning other than us thinking it sounded great! The interesting thing is, though, Phoenix’s are of course known for rising from the ashes which is incredibly apt when you look at the number of times this team has been at death’s door financially - only to rise up out of the ashes. As for other mythical creatures, I’m personally a fan of quite a few of them! Dragons are of course very cool, as are Minotaurs - although I don’t think Minotaur Motorsport would’ve worked quite as well as a team name!" SP - FVTV: "Thanks Alex, a great question for sure. Now i will finish up with my ultimate question for all of you: Who decides the title fight at the end? Klaas or Matteo?" WI: "I think it's finally gonna be Klaas time." AE: "Well, both Klaas AND Matteo will decide the title fight. Personally, I think Klaas will have just about enough in the tank to come out on top but, whoever wins, it’s been a great battle which has somehow kept going even when it looked over at certain points. I think Formula Virtual is the real winner no matter the outcome." SG: "Oh tough question... I think that Klaas has got more experience and that he can decide it at last, but Matteo has demonstrated a lot of speed through the year, and will not be an easy one to beat. But anyways, if you ask me to bet on someone, that would be still Klaas." AA: "Tough call really! Klaas has the experience, but Matteo has a point to make. Either way its gonna be good!" RS: "Uhhh tricky one... I would love to see Matteo winning the title, but i have to say KvS, he deserves this so much. Whats the point of being a FV driver if you finish 2nd your whole career? I think Klaas has to win." SP - FVTV: "Interesting answers, i can see more trust in KvS. I guess we will find out in a few weeks. That's it for today, thank you very much for participating and we will see you all tomorrow for practice and qualifying!"
3 Comments
Dieeeeeeeeeggggggggggooooooo Caaaaammmmmmmppppooooosssss
3/11/2023 11:42:07 pm
Ingram released Ruotsalainen? My disappointment is immeasurable and my day ruined
Reply
Highwindfan17
4/11/2023 08:00:14 pm
Sadly they had to, in order to allow him to get a seat in FV next season!
Reply
Glenn Maxwell
13/11/2023 02:08:21 am
Go on Trongy, spill the beans - where are they taking my boy to? Leave a Reply. |
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