Good morning and welcome to Indianapolis, United States for the Team Representatives’ Press Conference ahead of the United States V-Prix – round thirteen of the 2023 Formula Virtual World Championship. Joining us today, from left to right, are; Adam Blocker from FIRST Motorsport, Harry Westwood from Team Peugeot TotalEnergies Westwood, William Ingram from Corsair Ingram V-Prix, Rai Miyamoto of Ocelot Japan Racing and Dylan Lopez from Lopez FV Team. Welcome to all five of you! Scott Parkin – FVTV: “I think we will start with the number 1 topic of the recent days. Rai, I guess it never felt so good to be with Ocelot?”
Rai Miyamoto: “Things have gradually gotten better, I wouldn’t say never felt so good. But has been great either way. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come this season and to have managed a win. We are hoping to see out the season with the momentum.” SP – FVTV: “Thank you Rai, definitely a performance I didn’t expect at the start of the season. The next question is for Ingram. Hey William, very unlucky race for Ingram in Canada. Can you say something about the condition Vasquez is in and your comment about Ingram’s race?” William Ingram: “Hi Scott, yes Montreal is certainly one to forget, I think points were a possibility. The most important thing, of course, is James and I’m pleased to say that he’s doing well. The absence this weekend is on medical advice, but not advice James liked hearing! He’ll be raring to get back, but we have to wait until we get the all clear.” SP – FVTV: “Very good to hear that James is doing well. Better days will come for you guys for sure. Speaking of that crash in Montreal, the next questions are for Harry Westwood. Hello Harry, we’ve seen Thierry’s car break during the race with a massive crash, involving Vasquez, in the result. Can you give us information about the condition he’s in?” Harry Westwood: “Yeah, that was a big shunt. Thierry is okay, luckily for him, he was able to coast the car into the pits and the impact wasn’t heavy enough to cause any injury.” SP – FVTV: “Very pleasing to hear. I have one more question regarding this incident. That mechanical failure meant a loss of important points, I guess you hope for more luck in the next races and good points?” HW: “Yes, especially considering that Thierry was on the right strategy. At the end of the day a bit of luck would be nice in the next few races but I can’t act like we’ve been hard done by for most of this season! But yes we’re always hoping for good points.” SP – FVTV: “Thanks Harry. Let’s speak with the other two guys before we get to the fan and journalists questions. Hello Dylan, if you take a look back to the last races, you can see an advantage for Max Meyer in the race and on qualifying pace too. How is the relationship between both drivers considering Alvarez being slower in nearly every race this year?” Dylan Lopez: “It’s not that Sergio has been as slow as you seem to want to make it out to be. Both drivers are getting along uber well too. Sergio’s had his moments and we also were calculating that he could’ve joined Max in the points if he didn’t suffer a mechanical failure. He and Max are also driving the car next season, so there’s still plenty of opportunities for both drivers to continue pushing each other respectfully.” SP – FVTV: Thanks Dylan, let’s see how this teammate battle turns out at the end. Lets speak to Adam Blocker. Hey Adam, reality hits hard sometimes and so it was in Canada. Another disappointing race, take us through your feelings during the race please. I guess every American FV fan hoped for more from their home team.” Adam Blocker: “Overall our performance this season has not been at the level we expect. Within the context of our recent form, I’d say that the performance at Montreal is about what we can expect at the moment. Felix has finished in P12 in the last two races so there definitely is potential to score points the coming races if we get some help and Indianapolis has been a chaotic race in the past.” SP – FVTV: “Yeah that’s true, very interested to see what is ahead of us in the next races or maybe the next years. Speaking of that, with First dropping down the order in recent years, what do you think could be the key back to success and to build a regular point scoring car?” AB: “Just like most things in motorsport, it’s not one thing. It’s the culmination of a lot of small details. We’d be here for a while if I was to go through everything, but we hope that we’ve identified some key areas that can improve for 2024.” SP – FVTV: “Thank you Adam. That’s my questions done. Now we have a little more time for the other questions … Ah I see a hand rising up … Rebecca Parnell from XtremeV. Your question please.” Rebecca Parnell – XtremeV: “Thank you Scott. Question for Dylan Lopez. Dylan, Big news came up as your promising youngster Stew Alexander made the step up to become the Lopez test & reserve driver in 2024. What do you expect from him in that role and in the next 3-5 years?” DL: “He is taking the virtual racing world by storm. We’re still getting to grips a little bit with his thick American accent, but when he puts that helmet on, he turns into a superhero. When he’s ready to make the leap to Formula Virtual we cannot wait to let him unleash on the competition.” SP – FVTV: ”Thanks Dylan. The next question is from Neil Allenby – FVTV.” Neil Allenby – FVTV: “Thank you Scott. I have two Questions for Will and Adam. First Question is for Will. We've heard from SRT and Mattson that he will retire at the end of the season. Jean spent the majority of his career at Ingram. Do you have any words you want to say to him or about the sad news?” WI: “How many times have I waxed lyrical about Jean Mattson. He's brilliant, I still think he's brilliant and I think it's a shame we won't see him get a final race under his belt. We've extended him a job offer for next season off track - let's hope he says yes!” SP – FVTV: “That would be great if we could see Jean next year around the paddock. Your second question please.” NA – FVTV: “Second one is for Adam. Adam, rumours suggest that you've been active in the driver market, chasing drivers such as Ruiz and Forini. How have these rumours affected the morale of your current drivers?” AB: “It's true that we've been exploring options for 2024 - I think that's a natural thing to do given our decline in performance. The uncertainty is not a positive for short term performance morale but it's part of racing at times to have things like this.” SP – FVTV: “Thank you Adam. The next question is from Mike Foster – pitstop.us.” Mike Foster – pitstop.us: “Hey Adam. As the only american team in the series, would you like to see multiple races in the states every season? And if so where would you host the extra races?” AB: “We certainly have enough race tracks to have multiple rounds on the calendar. I'd love to see races at tracks like Road America, Watkins Glen, VIR, Barber, Mid-Ohio, or some street circuits like Long Beach or Detroit in addition to our race in Indianapolis. There's more I could name, you could easily have a full calendar of quality American tracks if you wanted.” SP – FVTV:” Haha, yeah that’s true, some of them are real classics, a shame that we don’t have them in the calendar. Okay, we have another question from Rebecca. Your question please.” RP – XtremeV:”Question for Harry. During the season, Thierry developed to a very important part of your sucess this year, especially that win in Malaysia. What makes him so special and do you thought at the moment you signed him that he will be at speed so quickly?” HW: “Well I think it's his willingness to adapt and learn - he's obviously a super quick driver there's no doubt but he's worked really well with Tumo and the team to up his game this season. I knew when we signed him that we had a great young driver on our hands but he has still surprised us all!” SP – FVTV: ”Before we enter the Fan Questions, I will finish my open questions. Question for Will, simple one. What’s your goal for the next races?” WI: “Points. I think, given the correct strategy call, the pace is still there to pick up a point here and there.” SP – FVTV: “Sounds like a realistic goal. Next one is for Rai. With the results in the last races, Ocelot has a very good position to take p2 in the constructeurs at the end. You expected this season to be as good and does this possible p2 means any change the plans for next season?” RM: “Things did change and there will be some new changes to get to grips with especially with the rule changes. We’ll take it season at a time. Like I say we will take each race as they come. It will be a tough fight to hold on to Second. But what we’ve achieved has been amazing and I’m proud of everyone.” SP – FVTV: “Thanks Rai. The next is for Dylan. The progression so far looks very good for Lopez. What are the goals for the remaining races?” DL: “Our goal for the rest of the season is to keep on taking points whenever we can. We got strategy bang on, with a hint of luck last time out in Canada, so who knows? Getting out of that dreaded Pre-Qualifying battle for next season would also be great reward for the team. Since day dot they’ve worked so hard to develop the car to what it is today, and to achieve that would be nothing less than a deserved reward for all of us.” SP -FVTV: “The right call could definitely be the game changer, Thanks Dylan. The last one is for Harry. What do you think is realistic as a goal until the end of the season in terms of position in the standings or points? HW: “Well, realistically we've still got a shot at 3rd which is what we'll be aiming for. We have to keep looking forward and it would be great to pull off a best ever constructors finish for the team!” SP -FVTV: “Thank you Harry. And now its time for the Fans. First one is for Adam. Rumours suggest that you've been active in the driver market, chasing drivers such as Ruiz and Forini. How have these rumours affected the morale of your current drivers?” AB: “It's true that we've been exploring options for 2024 - I think that's a natural thing to do given our decline in performance. The uncertainty is not a positive for short term performance morale but it's part of racing at times to have things like this.” SP -FVTV: “Okay, next one is for Rai. Giodano is now for a decent amount of years on the grid. Right now he is on great form, we are asking you from a neutral position. Do you think Puccio is one of the best on the grid at the moment?” RM: “Puccio has been a fantastic for us as ever. He knows he has a special place at the team and in all our hearts. The fans, love him too and he has been working well with Felipe.” SP -FVTV: “Well said Rai, the fans would definitely agree with your answer. Next one is for William. It's no secret you've got one of the best driver lineups in the business. How do you ensure talented drivers stay motivated when the car isn't as fast as they would hope?” WI: “Well thank you for saying so, we certainly think so. The drivers are brilliant at keeping the team motivated to build them a faster car, I don't know what all top drivers are like but Allar and James don't have any other setting apart from top speed!” SP -FVTV: “Thanks for the answer. Next up is Adam again. There are rumours floating around the paddock that you've made a big signing. Is this true and if so, does this mean FIRST will be fighting at the front next year?” AB: “Our drivers for 2024 still have not been finalized, we'll announce drivers when we are ready.” SP -FVTV: “Short and clear answer. We have one more to go, this one is for Rai. Congratulations on your win last time out. Out of your three wins, which would you say has been your favourite and why?” RM: “All of our wins have a place in our hearts for various reasons but we actually have our first one idolised on our race suits so I’ll say the first.” SP – FVTV: “Thanks Rai. With that Question we will end the Press Conference for this weekend. Thanks for everyone participating and we will see you all tomorrow for practice and qualifying!”
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