Goethe: Still more pace to come but fast start a positive going into Qualifying

1 September 2023

Oliver Goethe topped the opening session of the Monza weekend for Trident, going fastest of all late on in Practice to hit the ground running in the final round of the year.

Teammates Leonardo Fornaroli and Championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto made sure the team had all three drivers in contention on home soil, finishing fifth and sixth respectively.

Goethe says that while it was a nice note to open the weekend on, there is still plenty of speed to find around the fastest track on the Formula 3 calendar.

“It was a great start to the weekend. The session was quite stressful for us because I had an issue in the first half and I wasn’t able to go out, so I only had two laps after the Red Flag and on the second lap I managed to do a pretty good lap which was good enough for P1.

“I think everyone still has margin so I’m not comfortable there just yet because I know everyone will improve. Also for me, there’s room for improvement but everyone only got two or three laps. It was a great start though.”

It was a hugely positive session all round for Trident, as the team looks to recapture the Teams’ Championship alongside Bortoleto’s hopes of clinching the Drivers’ title also.

With Goethe topping the times in Practice, the team is hopeful of carrying that form into Qualifying and securing a strong grid spot.

It’s a task that’s easier said than done around the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, with everyone vying for a slipstream on their laps to gain the final tenths of a second that could make all the difference according to Goethe.

“It’s an amazing track, very fast. It’s a simple track, not many corners but to be honest, that makes it more difficult because it’s the details that matter the most. Getting the car positioning right is probably the most crucial thing here to get a nice tow. It’s the details that make the difference around this track and it’s more difficult than it seems.

“It’s difficult to prepare. We know that especially here at Monza, Qualifying is really chaotic. Everyone’s going to want to have the best track position so everyone will fight for themselves. Anything can happen, we know the pace is there with all three cars so that’s definitely a positive, we just need to put it together. I’m sure Qualifying will be good.”

After starting well, Goethe says that it will be important for him and the team to carry the momentum from Practice into the rest of the weekend.

Last time out in Spa-Francorchamps, despite looking quick, Trident were unable to make the most of their performance albeit during a weekend hugely influenced by adverse weather conditions.

With bright blue skies forecast for the remainder of the weekend, it’s about fighting to maximise the potential that’s clearly within the car according to the driver.

“I think anything’s possible. We definitely have the potential for pole position. The last few rounds have been amazing for me and for the team, except Spa but that was a bit unlucky to be honest. Pole position is definitely possible, and I’ll fight my hardest to make it happen.”