FIA Formula 2: Welcome to the FIA Formula 2 Championship post-Qualifying Press Conference at the Hungaroring. Joining us this evening are: Sergio Sette Camara on pole with Carlin, in second is Jack Aitken for ART Grand Prix and in third is Nyck de Vries for PERTAMINA PREMA Theodore Racing. Sergio, starting with you, congratulations on your first Formula 2 pole, we saw you looking incredibly consistent in every sector on that last lap – talk us through that lap.

Sergio Sette Camara: I just put in a clean lap – Hungary’s a circuit similar to Barcelona in a certain way, so we’ve got to make the tyres last even within a qualifying lap. I believe I also had a purple sector three, so I had good tyres by then and this was key. So, it’s a good car from the team, not being so aggressive on the rears, and clean driving was all part of it – and it was just about putting the lap together and I had a small mistake, but if you go for a lap that’s quite aggressive then it’s hard to make it a perfect lap. I’m happy with the lap, and it was clean and quick.

FIA Formula 2: The surface here is relatively new, having been changed before last year’s race, giving more grip with less bumps compared to previous years. Would you say that’s been your experience?

Sergio: I was here when it was just brand new, I never raced on the old Hungaroring surface, but I’ve heard that before there was a lot more bumps and now we’re spending less time jumping over bumps and with more contact with the asphalt. There’s definitely a lot more grip because of that, and the F1 cars are putting so much rubber down with the wider tyres, it’s crazy, especially their speed through the corners. So I think that all plays a little bit, and for sure if it’s a smoother surface you have more contact, tyres last longer because it’s smoother, and you have more grip. It’s definitely one of the tracks that is an example of a good resurfacing.

FIA Formula 2: Jack, coming to you. In your fastest lap, you managed to improve your time in every single sector, contrary to some of the other drivers. How was the tyre degradation out there?

Jack Aitken: Generally, I think tyres were as expected. The supersoft was working pretty well, and as Sergio says you have to make them last a little bit, but generally it wasn’t a big issue – it’s more just hooking up the lap and making sure you don’t make any big mistakes.

FIA Formula 2: And you had provisional pole until the closing minutes of the session. How will you fight back tomorrow?

Jack: I’ll beat Sergio off the line, and then he’ll never see me again! I don’t know, there’s so many different scenarios that could play out. We’ve got a new clutch system for this race, so tomorrow might be quite varied across the field. Obviously, we’ll try and make sure we’re at the better end of that. It’s quite difficult to overtake here, but not impossible, and strategy will also play a part. We can apply some pressure through the pitstops.

FIA Formula 2: Nyck, coming to you – you ran something of an alternate strategy to run in the gap. Where did you lose the pace that kept you off pole?

Nyck de Vries: Yeah, we had a clean first run, and I was also happy with my lap. I think there was a bit of margin, but it was clean and faultless, and put us immediately in a good position. When you have a second chance, you try and push a bit harder and take a bit more risk. I think going through sectors two and three we were still in with a chance of pole, but in the final corner I overpushed a bit and lost the rear and missed out on the true battle for pole. I’m not saying we would have taken it, but I think that we would have at least been in the battle. Nevertheless, I’ve got mixed feelings – I’m happy we’re back to normal and competitive again after two difficult weekends, at least, pace-wise, but I think that when you’re there and have everything to play for you want to grab pole. We didn’t, but we’re in a good position for tomorrow.

FIA Formula 2: You’ve also had a lot of success at the Hungaroring in the past, does that inspire you or does it put a lot of pressure on you?

Nyck: I don’t know, but I’ve always liked this place and Budapest’s always been good to me. I like coming here for the track, but also the atmosphere around the track. It always helps if you like the track, but I wouldn’t say it’s any added pressure or anything. I’m just enjoying being here.

FIA Formula 2: Back to you Sergio – what’s your strategy for tomorrow’s race, is it tyre management, nailing the start, or anything else?

Sergio: As Jack says, it’s a bit of a surprise, we did some tests but there’s nothing like the grip off the starting grid. It’s the first shot for everyone with the new clutch system with racing tyres, and a proper track, so we’ve got to get off the line and focus on that. Strategy, we have to discuss that with the team!