Interview
Slater ‘buzzing’ to get going in Monte Carlo after positive start to the season
Freddie Slater is hopeful that he will join an illustrious group of drivers to win in Monte Carlo next month. However, he also stressed the importance of getting back into a rhythm before then at the in-season test.
The British driver had a stellar Round 1, finishing second in the Melbourne Feature Race behind Ugo Ugochukwu.
Since then, Slater says he has spent a lot of time at the racetrack, but more as a spectator, while also preparing for the upcoming rounds with TRIDENT.
“Obviously, it’s been a bit of a long break for us,” Slater started. “But it's been nice to spend a bit more time with my family, watch my two brothers race themselves and then spend some time with my sisters as well and my family.
“So it's been really nice to have a little family time that's for sure and to see a couple of my friends and then do quite a bit of karting.
“I've been really enjoying the new Silverstone circuit go-kart track, so it’s been really enjoyable to get lots of laps on there, lots of sim work, lots of training, two sessions every day, it's been enjoyable.”
Looking back at Melbourne, Slater says despite missing out on a victory there were a lot of positives for him and TRIDENT.
“I think for me Melbourne was really positive considering the limited running on the medium tyre,” he started.
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“Also not knowing the track compared to a lot of other drivers and to come in and finish P2 with the pace we did is a very special thing.
“So I think we're in a good place for the tracks coming up, it's not going to be easy especially with the lack of experience on some of these tracks with this car, but that's part of this year's challenge.
“But I'm looking forward to it and I think we started Melbourne well and I'm very excited for it to get going again.”
Having not driven the F3 car since Melbourne, Slater highlighted the importance of the two-day test in Spielberg to get back into the swing of things before the run of six rounds in eight weeks.
“I think the in-season test is going to be very important just to get back in the rhythm of things, especially for Monaco,” continued Slater.
“Obviously the Red Bull Ring is very different to Monaco so it's hard to get a full representation of things before going into Monaco, but it's still good for us.
“I think once we start in Monaco it's six race weekends in two months and it's going to be very very busy, so it's very important to start on the right foot.
“For me I'm very clear on what I've got to do. I’ve just got to do what I basically did at Melbourne and just hopefully let the experience and the moments help and just keep getting better each weekend.”
Slater will be going for his first F3 victory in Monte Carlo, and he says that he has been dreaming about driving around the Principality since the chequered flag in Melbourne.
“I'm buzzing,” said Slater on driving in Monaco. “I've literally been waiting since Sunday night of Melbourne to get to Monaco and I'm so excited for that.
“I can't wait to drive around those streets. It's such a special feeling and there is so much heritage there and some very cool people have won that race. So hopefully one day we can make that happen.”