Round 9 Post Feature Race 1 Press Conference

FIA Formula 3: Welcome everyone to today's FIA Formula 3 press conference following Feature Race 1 in Madrid. Joining us are P3 from MP Motorsport, Tuukka Taponen, P2 from ART Grand Prix, Taito Kato, and race winner Pedro Clerot from Rodin Motorsport. Pedro, congratulations. Your first FIA Formula 3 victory. How does that feel?

Pedro Clerot: Unbelievable. I have no words to describe what I am feeling right now. We knew it was going to be all about the start and together with the team we came up with a very good plan. We made the changes we needed from the race this morning and maximised everything within our control. It was a bit of a messy race and I am glad everyone is okay after the crash. We managed things well and then pushed flat out to the end. I am really happy to take the win and I think we deserve it.

FIA Formula 3: Can you take us through the opening lap?

Clerot: The start was really good. We knew it would be all about the launch and I felt very confident already on the Formation Lap. I told my engineer we should keep everything the same. When the lights went out I got a great launch with no wheelspin. I was already side-by-side with Taito into Turn 1 and from there it was about making the corner. After the Red Flag and two Safety Car restarts it was a little trickier, but the car was absolutely flying. The team gave me an amazing car and I enjoyed every moment out there.

FIA Formula 3: Tell us about the celebration at the finish.

Clerot: It was the phone celebration. It has not been exactly the year we wanted, but I knew this moment would come sooner or later. There has been a lot of noise around not performing and today we proved people wrong. We showed we are here to fight and achieve great things.

FIA Formula 3: You start P3 tomorrow. What do you think is possible?

Clerot: Let's see. Tuukka had a fairly relaxed race today. I am aiming to score good points and capitalise on any opportunities that come. The car was very quick today and I think we can improve even more for tomorrow, but for now I want to enjoy this moment.

__FIA Formula 3: Taito, congratulations. Your fourth podium of the season. How does P2 feel? __

Taito Kato: It is a mixed feeling because I started from pole position and wanted to win. Huge congratulations to Pedro. His pace was very strong. From my side the car was really good, but it was difficult to overtake. Still, P2 is a strong result and a good haul of points. The car was great to drive and I think it puts us in a good position for tomorrow as well.

FIA Formula 3: Can you talk us through your opening lap?

Kato: We had a small issue with the car before the Formation Lap and the team did a great job fixing it. I was a little worried because things were not going smoothly and that created some frustration. Even so, I managed to stay focused and convert it into a P2 finish, which makes me happy.

FIA Formula 3: Tuukka, congratulations on your second podium of the season. How does that one feel?

Tuukka Taponen: It was a good race and it went exactly as I wanted. I made a clean start, stayed in P3, watched what was happening up front, then started to manage the race and look after the tyres. At the end I was able to go for the fastest lap and achieve it, so from my side it was a very good race.

FIA Formula 3: Ugo was chasing you towards the finish. How were you able to keep him behind?

Taponen: I think Ugo was trying a similar strategy, creating a gap to the cars ahead and then pushing at the end. I managed to be quicker than him and I think he also had to think about the championship. He needed solid points, whereas I could focus on my own race.

FIA Formula 3: Congratulations on P3.