Round 6 Post-Sprint Race Press Conference

FIA Formula 3: Welcome everyone to today's FIA Formula 3 Press Conference following a thrilling Sprint Race here at Spa. Joining us, in P3 from Rodin Motorsport, it's Pedro Clerot. In second place, also from Rodin, it's Brando Badoer and from Hitech capturing his first win in F3, it's Jin Nakamura. Jin, congratulations, your first win in Formula 3. How does that feel?

Jin Nakamura: Yeah, I'm just super happy. I started from P4, I thought I was going to start from P1 yesterday, but yeah, I got a penalty unfortunately. But we managed to win, so I'm super happy.

FIA Formula 3: It was quite a hectic start off the line there. Can you just take us through the first part of your race?

Nakamura: I mean I got a really good start. I overtook one car at T1, then I got a good tow to T5, I overtook Pedro. I just had so much pace.

FIA Formula 3: We took a look at the final few laps and you managed to pull away quite well. Were you thinking about that at all on the restart?

Nakamura: Yeah, I was thinking about the restart a lot. I mean, I wanted to get a big gap to the cars behind at the last corner, but I was managing the car a lot before the second Safety Car, so I didn’t have so much grip for last two laps. So yeah, that was the reason for it.

FIA Formula 3: Well, congratulations on the win. Brando, coming to you, first points in Spa. You're starting the weekend strong here. How does that feel?

Brando Badoer: It feels good. We had the last two Grand Prix weekends, which were quite unfortunate for us and we didn't fight where we deserved to. So it's nice to be back fighting at the front. Definitely happy for myself and the team.

FIA Formula 3: Just talk about that restart as well, was that key to your race?

Badoer: Yeah, I mean, I got quite good restart when I led it, but apparently not good enough not to be overtaken by Jin, who had a good run with the tow and got me into T4. Then when I was second, I was also close to passing him back, but didn't have a good enough run to go for the move. So basically, that was it.

FIA Formula 3: Well, congratulations on the P2. Coming to you next, Pedro, third podium for yourself. How does that feel?

Pedro Clerot: It feels nice. We had a decent race starting from P2. I didn't have a very good start and had to defend immediately into T1, which compromised my run into T5. I had to defend from Mattia, and then Jin managed to have a really good start and overtook him on the outside and was already really close to me. So yeah, very difficult to overtake. I think that I had maybe more pace available than what I could show, but still decent points. We've been on a streak of points, that's the main thing to keep the momentum. Obviously, starting P6 tomorrow, I'm looking forward to coming forward. I think we have the pace to do it, but just happy to be on the podium again, especially in Spa. Such a good track.

FIA Formula 3: What's it going to take to get that first win? I mean, three podiums already starting P6 tomorrow, like you had said. What do you think it's going to take?

Clerot: I mean, I think for sure we have the pace. We have the new tyres also tomorrow. So for sure, I think we can do a good job. We can fine tune a few things that were not, I think, good enough in the race today. But still, we have very good guys fighting at the front tomorrow. But yeah, I think the podium streak is a good thing. We're showing that we have potential to be there. The win is just a matter of time. I know for sure today was a good opportunity, maybe a wasted one, but still it's good points. It's another podium and everything adds up in the end of the season. So I'm being patient. I think our time will come eventually. But yeah, just happy to be stepping on the podium again.

FIA Formula 3: Thank you so much for that.