Round 9 Post Feature Race Thoughts of the Top 3

FIA Formula 3: Callum Voisin, FIA Formula 3 race winner. How does that sound?

Callum Voisin: It sounds amazing, especially doing it here at Spa after my first pole in the series on Friday and after the win got taken away from me at Silverstone. I think we deserved to win but at the same time, it’s never a given. You’ve still got to work hard. I just want to thank the team for giving me a winning car. The pace has been incredible the last couple of weekends, I’m extremely happy and I wish there were more rounds to be honest because we’re on a roll.

FIA Formula 3: Let’s talk about the race today. It looked quite strange for a lack of a better word. You kept the lead and then it was all about managing the Safety Car restarts.

Voisin: It was extremely tough. I didn’t know there would be so many Safety Cars so every time I needed to push on the first lap 100%, which actually on one of the laps resulted in me going wide at T1. But it was extremely difficult, T1 and T5 after the Kemmel Straight was so wet, definitely the wettest part. The rest was absolutely fine. Those were the places I needed to push and gain the most laptime. We felt really good in sector two for most of the weekend. It was tough because every lap it changed. At the start of the race, T1 and T5 was extremely wet, then it got drier, bit drier, bit drier and by the end it was still greasy but could just about hang on if you went over the kerbs or something like that. Tough with so many Safety Cars, so many restarts. I kind of ran out of ideas. The first one was best, the second one was decent and the last one - I couldn’t keep changing it up in time. It was extremely tough but I’m extremely happy.

FIA Formula 3: Now it’s time for the summer break and then it’s the final round in Monza. You said you were on a roll, maybe the break is going to break that rhythm?

Voisin: No, it’s not going to change anything. Hopefully we can do the same again. A win doesn’t come all the time, but I just want to keep building on this momentum and performance. I think if we can qualify in the top 12 or even a bit higher now the bar is probably a bit higher, I just want to hit the ground running. I’ve never been to Monza, so it’ll be a first for me but I’m really excited. First some rest and maybe some celebrations as well.

FIA Formula 3: Well massive congratulations for your weekend here at Spa-Francorchamps. Sebastián Montoya, P2 for you in the Feature Race here at Spa. It’s been quite a while for you, I’m sure you’re quite happy with that result today?

Sebastián Montoya: Happy, but more relieved. About time! The speeds been really good especially in the races the whole year. We’ve had really good pace but just missing a bit in Qualifying. Since Barcelona, we’ve been starting to find that pace again, the team’s done a really good job and we’ve improved the car. Honestly, I’m quite happy with it. Sooner than later but it finally came, and it came at the right time. We have the summer break and then Monza and I said at the beginning of the weekend that I wanted a good result this weekend and kind of build momentum into the last round of the Championship. We got a good start, kept our noses clean, missing a bit to get the win but generally quite happy with it.

FIA Formula 3: You were one of the movers on the grid to get onto the podium so how was it from the car? Montoya: Quite difficult. It was wet and you’re on slicks and the tyres aren’t fully in so you’re just trying to manage risk versus reward. I was just trying to get a clean start and I actually got a really good start. When I saw that Alex and Fornaroli were race into the inside, I had to go left. Luckily there was a dry patch there and I sent it around the outside, and it worked out quite well.

FIA Formula 3: Did the fact there were three Safety Cars get in the way of fighting Callum for the win maybe?

Montoya: I’d love to say that, but the race is a bit shorter, so it’s difficult to say. If’s but’s and maybes are easy to say but from what happened today, I’m just really happy we had a clean weekend. From FP we were quite strong in the damp, mixed conditions and in Qualifying I was able to do a good lap. Yesterday I kept my nose clean for a top five and then today a podium, which is what you need in F3. We had a few more racing laps in mind than what happened, but honestly really happy with it and can’t complain.

FIA Formula 3: Now it’s time for the summer break but then we have Monza and the final round, what are your hopes for there?

Montoya: Win. Especially with it being the last round and not being in the Championship fight. I know a lot of people are going in there thinking of the Championship but I’m not, so I’m just going to think about winning. I just want a clean Friday, qualify well and have some good races. Monza – because my dad got his first F1 win there it’s a really nice track to go at and I’m really quick there. From my side, keep working and figure out what we need to go quick there and hopefully get the win.

FIA Formula 3: Good job today, see you in Monza. Leonardo Fornaroli, P3 in the Feature Race, back on the podium and back at the top of the Standings. How are you feeling right now? Leonardo Fornaroli: Feeling quite well. It was a bit short because of the Safety Cars. It was very difficult to manage it with damp conditions on slick tyres. I was struggling a bit, especially in sector two compared to Seb, so later we’ll analyse what happened. But still, P3 is good points and back into the Championship lead by only one point, I think. But we’ll prepare the last shot in Monza to be as good as possible because it’ll be the most important race of the season.

FIA Formula 3: You’ll be fighting for the title at home at Monza. You have the advantage on the scoreboard and will have the advantage being at home. How confident are you heading to Monza?

Fornaroli: I feel very confident going there. Last year the pace was very strong in FP and Qualifying but in the races, I didn’t handle the situation quite well but now I’m a different person to last year. It’s a track that I love, one of my favourites and very close to my house. It’s a boost of confidence because I’ll be racing in front of my fans, and it’ll be amazing. I can’t wait.

FIA Formula 3: Well very good job this weekend and see you at Monza.