Silverstone, United Kingdom – FIRST finally finished first in a V-Prix, after running 2nd and 3rd with drivers Felix Perez for the majority of the race and taking advantage of late trouble for Adrien Simon to clinch a 1-2 result. The win is the maiden win for the team, Ford engines, and driver Felix Perez. We caught up with team principal Adam Blocker, driver Felix Perez, and engine program director Rob Aiken after the British V-Prix.
FIRST Motorsport Team Principal Adam Blocker on the win: ”Today is an incredible day for us. We have come close on quite a few occasions now, with last year at this very venue probably being the closest. Felix had a great chance to win last year if not for a late rain shower. Getting a win and a 1-2 here is huge in literally every way. It validates the work the guys back in Charlotte and Detroit have been putting in over the past 5 years. It helps sponsor relations. It stops the questions about when the first win is going to come. It takes pressure off Felix Perez to prove himself in FV to a certain extent, he has gone and done that. It also helps us massively in the constructors’ standings, putting us right behind Downton with most of the season remaining. Just huge overall and it reaffirms for me how proud I am to be a part of this team. Drinks on me tonight, probably ten rounds of Jose Cuervo” Driver Felix Perez: “Increíble. I knew I had a good chance today with how strong I was here last season and after a good qualifying for the team. Very happy to get the job done, it means a lot to be the first Mexican to win at the top level of virtual racing. And then also for it to be the team’s first win and everyone’s first win really it is incredible. I will never forget the podium from today. It’s going to be totally different going to Paul Ricard as Formula Virtual winners. I can’t wait to get back to the home base and hug everyone back at the factory and to get back home to thank everyone that has made this possible for me. And yeah to get the win for a team that got me to this point to begin with is incredible.” Ford Technical Director Rob Aiken: “Wow is all I can say. We knew it was going to be big when one of our teams got a win but today was just more than we could have hoped for. 3 cars in the top 4 at the end, with a phenomenal 1-2 for FIRST and a stunning drive from Halvosen to get P4 as well. Relations were already good for the future, but there has been some anxiety over not winning a race yet after 5 years. Well after today, that is gone. And we can go and build on this solid foundation that we have as an engine supplier and that our customer teams have and hopefully bring in some more wins and eventually a championship. I just want to thank all of the guys back in the States for all of the hard work. From what I hear, everyone is going to get a nice bonus as a result of this. And I know corporate is delighted, I already got a call from our company president saying how awesome it is to see an American team and engine win a V-Prix and just how happy he is for everyone involved. A day I’ll never forget for sure!” And now for Whitney Houston's awesome rendition of the Star Spangled Banner: youtu.be/N_lCmBvYMRs?t=42
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|