The top three give their thoughts on the Abu Dhabi Sprint Race which saw an 18th driver crowned as a race winner in F2.
The podium finishers in F2's Abu Dhabi Sprint Race. photo credits: @F2 on X
The top three have their say on the Abu Dhabi Sprint Race, which saw Pepe Martí charge to victory in a dominant style. Bortoleto and Aron rounded out the top three. Here is what they had to say following the race.
Martí finally stands on the top step
A season of up's and down's see's Martí finally stand on the top step. Photo credits: @CamposRacing on Instagram
Pepe Martí took his maiden F2 victory in Abu Dhabi after leading from lights to the flag in what he described as his 'toughest' race of the year.
The Spaniard held off championship contender Gabriel Bortoleto behind, who was chipping away at the steady gap he built, but, ultimately, he was unable to make the move, with Martí crossing the line despite the pressure of his rival.
Speaking about his win, Martí explained how, although the race may have looked straightforward, he explained the difficulties of maintaining the tyre degradation under the pressure of the championship leader behind him:
"It feels amazing; we had a great race. I think it was one of the toughest of the year, in the sense that it was flat out the whole time, being quite smart with how I drove but pretty much flat out." Martí told Divebomb and select media.
"The tyres were dropping as well, and I had to be smart with my driving and having a certain Brazilian who is very fast for most of the race didn’t help. It was a nice race and a great feeling."
A crucial result for Bortoleto
Bortoleto increases his gap to five and half points for the final Feature Race on Sunday. Photo credits: James Sutton via Getty Images
Bortoleto, who started in ninth, capitalised on the opening-lap incident involving his championship rivals and other drivers started ahead of him. The Brazilian quickly moved into second and claimed a crucial five-and-a-half point advantage ahead of Isack Hadjar. Reflecting on his performance, Bortoleto expressed delight with his performance and acknowledged the unique circumstances which helped him to climb up the grid.
"He [Hadjar] started in front of me, so normally I would expect, in a normal and similarly paced race, we would have been more or less in the same positions or going forward, but he would still be ahead if I didn’t make something extra happen today.
"But I am very happy that we did. Good to be leading the Championship going to the last race of the year, starting ahead, so it is very positive.
A disappointed Aron remains optimistic
Aron secured his ninth podium of the season after starting in eighth and climbing to finish in third. Reflecting on the race, Aron expressed the challenges he faced throughout the race,
"Tough race for me, to be honest. I think it was quite clear the top guys were flying, and I wasn't managing my race as much as possible.
On the opening lap, there was contact between Isack Hadjar and Kush Maini. The championship rival, suffered from a damaged front-wing end plate, which hindered his race, wounding up in sixth. Luckily, Aron escaped the opening lap chaos and continued to charge through the field:
"I got caught up in the mess at the beginning at the start, but luckily, I managed to avoid all of it. "If I am honest, when it goes down like that [on the first lap], you don't have any time to think about how many risks you take or what the situation is with the points or where the other guys you are fighting with are.
"I think you need to put all your focus into managing the situation; I tried to pick my way through it. A lot of it is where you are when it happens, and in turn 1, I was on the outside when there was a bunch-up on the inside.
"I managed to avoid it, but the guys on the inside paid quite a bit. Turn six the same. I was on the outside, and it cost me a bit of time. Sometimes it goes like that: you can never control how these things turn out, the important thing to do is you do the best you can to come out of it."
Looking to end the season on a high
Aron reflects on his race and ninth podium of the season. Photo credits: James Sutton via Getty Images
After finishing in third in the Sprint Race, Paul Aron is mathematically out of the championship contention, coming short of 27 and a half points.
Looking ahead to the Feature Race, where he lines up in third, Aron acknowledged how the championship was no longer a realistic target. While nothing changes in terms of strategy tomorrow, his focus remains on securing crucial points for Hitech's bid for second in the constructor championship.
"I came into this weekend, accepting this weekend the championship was gone. If I somehow came in and won it, it would've been a nice surprise. It was something I was expecting, and because of that, it doesn't hurt today." He said to Divebomb.
"But at the same time, it would've been nice to go into the last race with slight hope and dream about it tonight."
"It doesn't change the approach; I'll go back to the team and look to take a step forward for tomorrow. In the end, it is still a race you can win and get a podium in.
"Hitech is fighting closely in the team championship for third or second.
"I want to deliver them a good result and deliver them points, more points, podiums, or another win on my resume will be just another good thing." He added.
"It doesn't change anything, as long as I am present in the race and I feel like I am getting the maximum out of myself, no matter what the result will be, I will be happy."
Commenti