Alex Smolyar is the only driver on the grid to have taken two wins in 2021, but the Russian has failed to finish higher than seventh outside of those two emphatic performances. And the ART Grand Prix driver says he needs to be more consistent if he’s to challenge for the title, citing Oscar Piastri’s 2020 record as proof.

Smolyar's drive from sixth to first in Race 1 last time out was one of the most exciting performances of the year so far, but it was followed up by frustrating P7 and P8 finishes, while his Race 1 win in Round 1 was followed up by two pointless races.

“Last year, Oscar Piastri showed how important it is to score in every race and that’s my goal,” said Smolyar. “In Paul Ricard Race 1, I was having thoughts in my head, questioning whether I should fight that hard for the win.

“I want to finish every race in the points, with good points, and I was asking myself whether I should take risks and send it at some corners or not. But you have so much adrenaline in the races that you make decisions that you probably wouldn't if you were sat in the team truck.

Smolyar sits fifth in the Drivers Championship
Smolyar sits fifth in the Drivers' Championship

“Last year I was running in the middle of the pack most of the time and when you’re in the middle of the pack, you need to get used to overtaking out of nowhere at times. When you’re at the top, you are with drivers who are fighting for the championship and they don't make little mistakes and they don't push when it isn't necessary.”

Sitting sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, Smolyar singled out Qualifying as the area where he can gain the most, with the Russian yet to finish higher than seventh in the session.

“I lost time in Qualifying with a DRS issues in Round 1, but coming into Paul Ricard I was still confident with the pace we had,” said Smolyar. “I was quite close, but I was weak in sector 3 and that cost me.

“In this format, I can still win races with a (poor) Qualifying, which is good, but then in the main race on Sunday with more points available, I was starting P7. Yes, it’s still possible to win from there, but you’re giving yourself a harder job. For me, it all comes down to Qualifying.”

Smolyar is the only double-race winner in F3 so far this season
Smolyar is the only double-race winner in F3 so far this season

Smolyar went on to discuss the nature of the Red Bull Ring and explained why he believes it will not only make Qualifying more important, but also more difficult.

He added: “At the Red Bull Ring last year, I think we had races that were a bit more like a train than Paul Ricard was. The track is short, and you don't have a lot of corners to make moves. Qualifying isn’t random here, but I think there is a reliance on slipstreams with the straights. If you get a slipstream, you have a good chance to be at the top.”