Good morning and welcome to Magny Cours, France for the team principal’s Thursday press conference ahead of this weekend’s French V-Prix – round six of the 2019 Formula Virtual World Championship. Joining us today, from left to right, are; Kazuki Armos of Meteor International FV Team, Adrian Arnello of Arnello Milner and Ronson Autosport, Adam Blocker of FIRST Motorsport, Arthur Lapierre from Red Bull DS Automobiles Team Mathershaw and Hector Seibel of Andromeda Automobilismo Brasileiro. Welcome to you all. Reporter: Given that we are in France, we’ll start with the home team. Arthur, DS Mathershaw – no I am not saying the full name again – have been a French team since 2016. In case you haven’t noticed we are in France this weekend. How special is it being at your home race and do you feel under more pressure to perform?
Arthur Lapierre: For sure, we're always proud to represent France as well as DS Automobiles, and as a Frenchman, racing on home soil is a privilege. Despite our success, we have only won once here, and we are desperate to make another victory for our fans at home and everywhere else in the world. Reporter: Your former test driver Xylander has had a bit of a uninspiring start to his FV career down at your partner team Phoenix. Have you been impressed by his first performances in a top tier series or not? AL: I think he's done well in his first races. Alex [Easton, DS Phoenix team principal and DS Performance Head of Youth Development] is already renowned for nurturing talent, and Thierry is the first to say he has a lot to learn. He's finished every race so far, and scored his first points in Malaysia. Give him time and he will succeed. Reporter: Thank you Arthur. Moving on to Adam, Zozulya had a horrible weekend, not setting a lap time in qualifying and then having a very big crash in the race. Is he fit to race here and does he have any lasting injuries? Adam Blocker: Zozulya was naturally a little sore the next day, but he is definitely be good to go for this weekend and looking to put a terrible weekend behind him. Reporter: You mentioned before that you were slightly disappointed with your car’s pace and that you were not on the same level as the front runners. We are only five races in admittedly but do you see yourself as a possible championship contender? AB: Nope, we are not title contenders. We have the ability to contend for the podium or even the occaisonal victory, as was shown in Silverstone, but we aren't at the level to compete for titles yet. We have some ideas on what we are missing, but I'm not going to elaborate. I will be disappointed if we don't win a race this season though. Reporter: Thank you Adam, we'll return to you in a bit. Kaz, we’ll done on getting out of Q1 after the first five races. You’ve got through with both cars on all occasions. Do you feel more relaxed now that you don't have to worry about it or is it still the same approach? Kazuki Armos: We have been fortunate to have had a car quick enough to be confident of getting out of Q1. Nothing has really changed in that way. We just need to not fall back into it. Reporter: You took your first double points finish this season in Britain, your first in 2 years. Given your poor performance over the last two years, how happy are you with the progress the team has made this year? KA: At the start of the season we felt this was our best year of late to score points, to have done that with both drivers is something we are very proud of. We did feel like it was possible earlier in the season but errors got in the way of that. That said, we will be disappointed if we don’t score more points. A positive incline is what we must see. Reporter: Unfortunately we don’t go to COTA so we don’t have any steep inclines… no? Okay. Hector, parabéns on your first points finish in Malaysia, with Hoskins in tenth. How does it feel to be a points scoring team and did you expect to do so pre-season? Hector Seibel: Of course I was expecting a point this season! In fact, our whole management strategy was built around to get that point to climb the Constructors Championship guaranteeing a better prize at season's end. Reporter: Arguably you are the fastest team in Q1 but you are a long way from 10th in the championship. Do you think you can get out of Q1 before the end of the season or is that too far fetched? HS: Excuse me? Go ahead and tell me which race that we haven't gotten out of Q1. Come on, I am waiting.. Honestly I couldn't care less of skipping Q1, that's just more competition, I just hope the likes of Cheema and Lucas can keep up with our pace. Reporter: It would be very nice to see a new team out of Q1. Adrian, you look like you’re jumping around waiting to be questioned! We have had two races now without an AMR qualifying. Is this going to become a trend or are you hoping to turn it around? Adrian Arnello: We're definitely hoping to turn it around! Hope is one part and hard work is the other though. We've got some goodies coming soon for the car, and that'll hopefully give us a good lift. It's really bloody competitive this year! Reporter: We asked you pre-season if the fact the management of AMR has had a year of experience would help you. So far, has it been easier in the second year or is it mostly like the first in terms of management? AA: Things have been easier for us. More synergy, more companionship, less hostile and divided. We chip in everywhere we can, from top to bottom, to make sure everyone's happy and on the same page. Reporter: Good to hear, most people seem to be hoping AMR can get back up into the midfield. Moving onto the fan questions, Adrian; “Considering you are a Ford powered team, is there a chance Stefan Klein could be driving for you next year?” AA: Interesting prospect, isn't it? There are so, so many talented drivers coming through the feeder series. Stefan is one driver we're yet to speak with though. Reporter: A bit surprising to be honest. Hector, here is your one; “Why did you get Honda engines for your debut season?” HS: We simply wanted to get the best available engine possible and I think it paid off, have you heard the onboard on Honda powered cars? They are miles ahead of anyone else. Reporter: It seems to have been a good call so far. Kaz, your one says; “Why did you get Baskin Robbins as your sponsor?” KA: The team needed a sponsor to survive. They were interested and the deal suited both parties. The same as any other sponsorship deal. Reporter: It has lead to a pretty great livery. Adam, next ones for you; “If you weren’t located in America, where would your team be located?” AB: When we were forming the team, there was never really any question that it would be based in the US. There is a strong motorsports industry in the US and that's where most of the founders and sponsors are from. However, if I had to choose an alternative nation, I would have chosen the UK because the UK has the strongest motorsport industry on a per capita basis of any country. In addition, it's location is convenient from a logistical standpoint as a large portion of the races are in western Europe. Reporter: USA and UK do stand out as two places to be based from. Arthur, last question; "Would you rather Beckenbauer or Kangur?” AL: Karl was a great servant for the team, and we would be happy to have him back in any capacity, but Allar is a wonderful talent who has everything required to hit the highest heights of Formula Virtual. I think that says everything it needs to. Reporter: Kangur has really progressed recently as a driver, so I’m sure most people agree with you. That wraps up all the fan questions, for the gazillionth time thank you to everyone who sent them in. As has been mentioned before we are in Magny Cours instead of Paul Ricard. Question to everyone; which circuit do you prefer for a V-Prix? AA: Magny-Cours looks more fun to drive! Real classic track with fast flowing turns. I'll see what the lads think of it after practice. HS: You should have asked Hoskins, he probably would give you a half decent answer. Because you know, he is a driver and all that. KA: Paul Ricard, it has great character and overtaking chances. AB: I prefer Magny-Cours. Paul Ricard was one of my least favorite tracks on the calendar due to some absurdly long straights that led to pack-like racing. It also is a giant parking lot; the runoff areas are massive and all paved. Magny-Cours, on the other hand, is more of a classic circuit that is technical and punishes mistakes. It has a nice blend of fast chicanes that the cars look really impressive going through and some decent passing zones which should help the racing. AL: Paul Ricard was our temporary base for two years, and holds a lot of memories for DS Automobiles and Mathershaw Technology, while Magny Cours is another excellent circuit - if I had to choose a venue, I'd actually hope we could use Circuit Bugatti in Le Mans. Of course I'm biased, and if I had the decision, I'd have half of the calendar in France, we have some amazing circuits! Reporter: So mostly the opinion seems slanted towards Magny Cours, which is good news then. Thank you all for the great answers, just one more question; what are your expectations for this weekend and who will win? AL: Certainly the hope is victory, but the expectations? They have to be realistic, so a podium may be the most to hope for - Downton, Franklin and even FIRST are all possible to win right now. AB: I think Downton have the fastest car right now, so I'll pick Powers for the win. In terms of FIRST, the goal is both cars in the top 6 and to challenge for a podium. KA: We will aim for points, we have to. Beyond that, who knows. HS: Enrique Ruiz. He is Brazilian, he's got Honda powered cars, what else can you ask? AA: Downton look hella fast again, but so are Franklin and DS. Too close to call! We're just hoping to make the race! Reporter: Fantastic, thank you all for enduring that test of your endurance. Thanks as well to everyone else. We will be back tomorrow when 30 cars will drive in circles multiple times. Until then, goodbye!
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