2022 Round 6 post-Sprint Race press conference

Thoughts from Collet, Colapinto and Maini

FIA Formula 3: A very warm welcome to the top three finishers of the FIA Formula 3 Sprint Race here at the Hungaroring in third place Kush Maini for MP Motorsport in second place Franco Colapinto for Van Amersfoort Racing and winning for the very first time in FIA Formula 3, Caio Collet, also for MP. Caio, very well done, it was a masterful drive by you today. What's the overriding emotion now that you've finally won a race in FIA F3?

Caio Collet: I think it's relief. Obviously, I'm really happy. We didn't win a race last year, I think we had pretty good races and pretty good weekends, but we were never close enough. This year, I think we were a bit unlucky sometimes, but now I'm just really happy that we finally got the win. I am a bit more relaxed.

FIA Formula 3: You had so much pace out there. Where was the car especially strong?

Collet: I think everywhere was really, really strong. We managed to keep the tyres in the right window the whole race and this was a key point. When I saw the track drying up quite quickly, the sun was out and the track was quite hot as well, I knew I had to manage the tyres. Once I got past Franco, I was just trying to keep them alive in case of a Safety Car later on. I think the pace was just really, really strong. Also, Kush came back, so it shows that we did a really good job on the car as a team. I'm just really happy for everyone.

FIA Formula 3: You've just said when I got past Franco. Tell us a little bit more about the battle with Franco. It was very intense.

Collet: I think was one of the closest battles I had this year and one of the nicest ones as well. I think for one or two laps we were side by side through every corner. I think we had a lot of respect for each other, obviously, he was fair. The car was sometimes a bit too close, but it was good.

FIA Formula 3: You were clearly very quick in the wet. Tomorrow looks like being dry again. Just give us a little forecast for tomorrow in terms of where you think your pace will be in the dry.

Collet: I think we have a pretty good car overall. As Alex got the pole yesterday, I think that I didn't really do a good job in Qualifying. Anyway, this is a track that is hard to overtake, but we will see what we can do. I think the car is really, really strong in both conditions. Maybe if we could recover to the top six, I think it will be a good weekend.

FIA Formula 3: All right. Well, very well done. Great to see you on the top step. And Franco coming to you now. Incredible race by you as well. Can we just get your thoughts first of all on the battle with Caio?

Franco Colapinto: It was really fun. It was tricky to be in front, as always, because you are defending and not attacking. It's much better when you're going for it and attacking trying to win positions. Unfortunately for me, I was defending in the first part of the race and Caio just had more pace. He was attacking me from the beginning to the end. So yeah, I'm happy with second place. I think we maximised what we had today and I'm happy for that, happy for the nine points as well. We are looking to be much more consistent this last weekend. That is really positive as well. So looking forward to tomorrow, we're starting within the pack, but I think we can get a few good points. That would be really nice for the Championship as well.

FIA Formula 3: Thank you, Franco well done to you and Kush, your first podium of the season. Great to see you up on the podium. How difficult were the conditions out there for you?

Kush Maini: It was difficult conditions because obviously, we haven't had wet weather all weekend really. So in the first few Safety Car laps, it was just about picking what line you want to stick within the first lap, because you want a clearer picture in your head to go for it. Then you start adapting when you're more comfortable with the car. I got into a good rhythm and it was definitely tricky but I'm happy with the turnout.

FIA Formula 3: Well, you did a great job out there. What were your expectations coming into the race starting P7?

Maini: After quali, I think we had more potential in the car as Caio said, Alex, put it on pole so there was a bit of last-minute quali confusion. I think the top four or top three would have been achievable. So for sure, I felt a bit disappointed after quali but coming into this race, I knew as soon as it was wet, anything can happen. As soon as the sun came out, I knew that everyone was going to struggle with overheating of the tyres by the end of it. So I started cooling them down and kept them in a decent window even though I was battling with Hadjar and then right behind Franco as well. So happy that by keeping the tyres in the right window, I could just finish the race in P3.

FIA Formula 3: MP has clearly hit on a good setup for the car here at the Hungaroring, what are your hopes for tomorrow's feature race?

Maini: Honestly, I think MP has had a really good call all year. We struggled a couple of times but in Bahrain, Silverstone and Imola we've all been up there. There are just a couple of things not coming together, and I think this weekend, they came together. So honestly, I'm happy isn't the right word. I'm more relieved because I feel like this result should have come a lot earlier. But better late than never! So for tomorrow, I think in the dry it's going to be, as Caio said, tough to pass. To be honest, if you have that superior pace, and you keep the tyres in the window then I think the last few laps are when all the moves are going to happen.

FIA Formula 3: Very well done to you.