F1 – 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Post-Qualifying Press Conference Transcript

DRIVERS
 
1 – Max VERSTAPPEN (Crimson Bull Racing) 
 
2 – Oscar PIASTRI (McLaren)
 
3 – Lando NORRIS (McLaren)
 
TRACK INTERVIEWS
(Carried out by Davide Valsecchi)
 
Q: Max, pole place. Unbelievable efficiency. Inform me, please, how you may pull off a efficiency like this? The environment was wonderful, however everybody was pushing for the Ferrari driveras. However you, with a tough Friday, you may pull off an unbelievable lap. Speak us via your lap, please?
Max VERSTAPPEN: Yeah, actually tough weekend thus far, even this morning. So I am extremely glad to be on pole right here. I did not count on that, however we made some ultimate adjustments earlier than qualifying. They appeared to make it really feel a bit higher. I may push a bit more durable. And this monitor is unbelievable. One a qualifying lap, you recognize, to be on the restrict right here, near the gravel… I touched the gravel within the final nook. Yeah, I am nonetheless pumping. The adrenaline may be very, very excessive. 
 
Q: Are you aware that you’re writing historical past? As a result of with eight consecutive pole positions, you might be equal to a legend of our sport, Ayrton Senna. How does it really feel? As a result of that is historical past for motorsport.
MV: Yeah, it is in fact an excellent begin to the yr, but in addition very particular. It is 30 years since he handed away at this monitor. So, in fact, more than happy to get pole right here. And in a manner, it is a good reminiscence to him. He was an unimaginable Method 1 driver, particularly in qualifying laps as effectively. So, yeah, nice day for me, nice day for the group. So I am very, very glad.
 
Q: Congratulations.
MV: Thanks. 
 
Q: And in second place, nice efficiency from Oscar Piastri. Oscar, how was your quali? As a result of it looks as if you had been struggling a bit, and you then turned a bit extra performant within the first attempt in Q3, after which within the final attempt, you had been up there. You’ll begin in first row. How was your lap?
Oscar PIASTRI: Yeah, fairly good. Just a little little bit of a scruffy final nook, however I feel round right here it is so, so tough to do an ideal lap, so I am actually glad. I have been actually comfy with the automobile from the second we put it on monitor yesterday, and so, so near pole, however very glad. It has been a short time since I have been again up right here, so I am very pleased with how this weekend’s going thus far.
 
Q: And since your McLaren is so improved, tomorrow, do you suppose you could combat for one thing extra?
OP: I feel sure. I feel usually prior to now we are saying no, however yeah, I feel with our current performances, we have discovered to say sure. So we’ll see what we will do.  I feel, you recognize, we have positively been on the tempo all weekend. You already know, you’ll be able to by no means depend out Max and Crimson Bull, in fact, like we have simply seen. However I do not know. I feel the arrogance is excessive. After all, it isn’t the best monitor to overhaul on, however yeah, I feel the arrogance is excessive that we will do one thing good.
 
Q: Congratulations on your efficiency.
OP: Thanks.
 
Q: Lando Norris. Properly performed, mate. You are only a recent winner in Method 1. Nice qualifying right this moment. All of the grandstands and the folks had been cheering a bit for you since you are so nice in Method 1. How was your lap? How was your quali?
Lando NORRIS: Thanks. Yeah, nice. I imply, P3 will not be a foul job in any respect, and yeah, inside a tenth, each of us for P1. So, tiny, tiny margins, however I feel for us as a group, we have had an excellent day, an excellent weekend thus far. Oscar’s performed an excellent job, and so did Max, so it’s thrilling. We’re shut, and I can not look forward to tomorrow.
 
Q: On the lookout for the rostrum or in search of one thing else now you could get used to it?
LN: Sure, we nonetheless have to get used to it, however we’re getting nearer. To be forward of Ferrari can also be a pleasant consequence for us. However it may be shut. It may be a very good race tomorrow. Hopefully it is an thrilling one to observe, additionally an thrilling one contained in the automobile. However robust, particularly when the lap instances are so tight. Quite a lot of it’s right down to Flip 1, lap one, the technique, the pit stops. So it may be a tricky race.
 
PRESS CONFERENCE 
 
Q: Max, very effectively performed to you. It has been a surprising turnaround by each you and Crimson Bull after what was a tough opening day yesterday. Simply inform us, how have you ever performed it?
MV: Yeah, we saved on working. Even this morning it was not good. We simply saved on attempting to enhance the steadiness of the automobile as a result of it was shifting a bit far and wide yesterday and this morning. So yeah, I imply, I actually went into qualifying and I used to be like ‘effectively, if we will get a prime 5, I might be glad’ as a result of this weekend has been actually tough. There was actually no reference going into qualifying. However yeah, it felt right away loads a bit higher. I felt extra comfy. I may assault corners lastly a bit extra and it began to come back collectively and it actually got here collectively in Q3.
 
Q: Simply the place did the automobile come alive?
MV: It was simply following the monitor, to be trustworthy. I imply Q1, Q2, Q3, simply you recognize the place there’s perhaps a bit extra time to realize. You attempt to hook up the corners a bit higher. Then, in fact, the ultimate lap is all out. You attempt to danger all of it, which I feel you may see within the ultimate nook. I had a little bit of a second there, however yeah, simply actually attempting to get every little thing out of it.
 
Q: You have obtained the one-lap tempo. You have proved that. Simply how good was the automobile within the lengthy runs yesterday? Simply how effectively ready do you’re feeling for the race?
MV: In no way. I imply, yesterday was horrible in long term and quick run. This morning we wished to do a long term, however then we solely did like three laps. But additionally there it did not really feel good. However I additionally had no steadiness within the quick run. So then it is fairly regular that in the long term it isn’t good. So naturally, I feel with the steadiness that I had in qualifying, will probably be higher. However I’ve no clue towards McLaren. They regarded very robust yesterday of their long term. So hopefully, yeah, we will do one thing comparable.
 
Q: So, briefly, do you suppose you may need your work reduce out tomorrow within the race?
MV: Yeah, for certain. I imply, the entire weekend now we have been on the again foot. We managed to be on prime in qualifying, however that is qualifying. You already know, the race could be once more a bit completely different. And usually I wish to be a bit bit higher ready with a bit extra info going into the race. So I suppose, yeah, we’ll have to attend and see what occurs within the race.
 
Q: Closing one from me. You have obtained a busy weekend this weekend as a result of not solely are you racing right here, you are doing the digital 24 hours… 
MV: That is why I finished speaking.
 
Q: Simply inform us about your schedule between now and the beginning of the race? 
MV: Properly, I imply, the race is already on, that one, as effectively. So, yeah, just a few extra issues to do after this, in fact, after which I am going to attempt to head again and do my stints earlier than I arrive to the monitor right here tomorrow.
 
Q: Any night time stints?
MV: Not too late, no. I imply, I would like a very good sleep for certain.
 
Q: Look, very effectively performed right this moment. Good luck in that as effectively. Oscar, let’s come to you now. Sensible job by you. Simply how good was the automobile in Q3, initially?
OP: Yeah, I imply I have been pleased with all of it weekend to be trustworthy. From the beginning of P1 throughout quali I feel a few scruffy laps in the course of qualifying however in Q3 it got here collectively a bit extra and I used to be pleased with the final lap. So yeah, it has been a extremely robust weekend for us thus far. There’s been no factors but in fact, they’re tomorrow, however yeah I feel we have been fairly glad all weekend.
 
Q: The primary time that you’ve got had all the upgrades in your automobile. Simply how a lot confidence do they provide you?
OP: It is a greater feeling, in fact, and having elements that you recognize are going to make the automobile quicker on the automobile is at all times a confidence enhance. It would not change the world when it comes to how we drive, however yeah, anytime the engineers inform you they will make the automobile quicker, it is at all times a pleasant little enhance. So yeah, it has been feeling good and nothing sudden, which is at all times good.
 
Q: What in regards to the monitor? That is your first time racing at Imola. Simply how difficult is that this place, notably on a Q3 lap?
OP: It is actually, actually robust. I feel, to be trustworthy, one of many hardest tracks of the yr when it comes to how old skool it’s and having gravel in all places. I feel as drivers, these are the form of tracks that we actually get pleasure from. You do not have to fret about monitor limits, or not less than we did not right this moment. Yesterday we did. However you do not have to fret about that. You already know if you happen to’ve gone over it since you’re within the gravel otherwise you’re off. So it is a actually thrilling lap round right here and quite a lot of quick corners, quite a lot of corners basically, we do not get a lot time to relaxation. So it has been a enjoyable weekend.
 
Q: Oscar, I do not need to put a dampener on what you have simply performed, however you might be off to see the stewards shortly to debate what occurred with Kevin Magnussen in Q1. Are you able to simply discuss us via what occurred there out of your standpoint?
OP: Yeah, I imply, I have to see it again a bit extra. Once I regarded within the mirrors, I did not see any automobiles coming. And yeah, then he was proper there. So we’d like to take a look and see what the stewards say. 
 
Q: Very effectively performed right this moment. Thanks. Lando, coming to you now. It was extremely shut, lower than one tenth separating all three of you. Annoyed to not be on pole? How good was the automobile?
LN: Automobile’s been nice all weekend, to be trustworthy. I feel since FP1 we have been feeling fairly good. Irritating, I imply, anytime you are inside one tenth of pole, you at all times really feel like, the place was that final little bit? And I feel it was positively in there, but it surely’s a tough monitor simply to nail. And I feel I did a very good job. I used to be pleased with my laps. So I feel each Oscar and Max did an excellent job right this moment. Nevertheless it’s such a fast and tough circuit. You form of should commit. You’ll be able to’t try to do issues. You need to simply decide to it and form of see how you find yourself on the opposite facet. So it is all about timing. And as quickly as you misjudge one thing a bit bit, it may well go flawed fairly shortly. So it is an thrilling quali lap. I feel we did a very good job from a group facet. I really feel like I did a very good job right this moment. So robust efficiency from McLaren and excited for tomorrow.
 
Q: Given the problems that Max had yesterday on his lengthy runs, simply how assured do you’re feeling going into Sunday’s race? Likelihood of a repeat of Miami?
MV: A tricky one. I imply, it is virtually unattainable to overhaul right here, particularly when the gaps are so small. Yeah, I imply, you at all times try to reap the benefits of different folks’s errors and struggles. As unhealthy because it sounds, you try to reap the benefits of these instances. I do not know, Max hasn’t had the smoothest weekend, however I feel if anybody doubted Crimson Bull or him coming again and doing a very good job in qualifying, they are a bit silly. So, yeah, I feel we anticipated them to be again on monitor. Annoying to overlook out to him as soon as once more in qualifying. However we’re shut and I feel we’re glad as a group with how we have all carried out. So if we will proceed and have a robust race tempo tomorrow like we had yesterday and like we had in Miami, then I feel we will all sit up for a very good race. 
 
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR 
 
Q: (Jake Boxall-Legge – Autosport) A query for Max, please. Max, clearly, improbable turnaround for you this weekend. I simply need to ask in regards to the strategy of that. You stated that this morning did not really feel good both, however did you a) have a bit little bit of a bead of the place to go after FP2 yesterday? And secondly, in a single day, did you’ve gotten, like, as a result of I do know Jake Dennis, Seb Buemi and guys like which are doing sim assist, did you’ve gotten that to lean on as effectively right this moment?
MV: Yeah, we tried quite a lot of issues, in fact, fairly completely different to what we had yesterday. However then even this morning, it was probably not feeling that nice as a result of the steadiness shifted the opposite manner. So yeah, simply actually entering into issues, attempting to optimise just a few issues right here and there. However yeah, it was simply much more tough than we anticipated it to be for no matter motive. However on the finish, yeah, everybody simply caught collectively. You already know, they saved on occupied with what we may do, additionally again on the manufacturing facility and we obtained there ultimately. So I feel that’s positively only a nice feeling once you you are experiencing like a extremely tough weekend to then nonetheless get it proper in qualifying. After all I hope that it would not occur too usually however in the meanwhile simply more than happy that we we managed to to show it round.
 
Q: (Zsolt Godina – F1Vilag.hu) Max, you’ve got some upgrades this weekend. Had been you in a position to deal with them otherwise you had been simply chasing the efficiency and steadiness all weekend?
MV: I feel the upgrades are the upgrades, and I feel they do the job, however we had different points than simply the upgrades of the automobile. After all, now we have lots of people taking a look at that, however on the similar time, we even have lots of people engaged on the steadiness points that we had all through the weekend. Anyway, I feel on a regular basis once you deliver new elements to the automobile, it isn’t that you just be taught every little thing in a weekend. It takes time, race after race, each monitor. Additionally, you want a little bit of a special set-up, so it requires various things from the automobile.
 
Q: (Daniel Moxon – Every day Mirror) A query for Oscar and Lando, please. We have heard about Max’s lengthy runs. Toto Wolff was saying that from what he may see, McLaren’s lengthy runs had been most likely the quickest from observe. From the info that you’ve got seen, is that the conclusion that you just draw as effectively? And if that is the case, then wouldn’t it be truthful to imagine that you just be ok with your possibilities of with the ability to perhaps go toe-to-toe with Max tomorrow? 
LN: Yeah, I imply, we had been excellent yesterday, but in addition in Imola once you see others, we did not do the quickest laps in these lengthy runs. We had been most likely essentially the most constant, however quite a lot of others had site visitors and issues like that. So it is shut, prefer it was right this moment. We had been assured, you recognize, the automobile felt good. It was additionally a bit colder, so perhaps if that form of got here again to us, that will be good. Yeah, we had a very good day yesterday. The entire weekend, the automobile has been performing effectively and the group have been doing a very good job. However I do not count on us simply to have like a simple day tomorrow. I feel to overhaul right here is just about unattainable, like I stated. In order that’s our first job. However on the similar time, if we will stress them and form of carry on their toes all through the entire race and have a efficiency like Miami, then I feel we could be optimistic, in fact. However simply the overtaking and the technique might be a bit more durable than what was in Miami.
OP: Yeah, I feel kind of the identical factor. I feel our lengthy runs yesterday regarded good, but it surely’s very, very shut. I feel that is form of been the story of the season and the previous couple of races, everybody’s been so tight. So yeah, we’ll see. Overtaking may be very robust right here, however I feel we could be optimistic.
 
Q: (Erwin Jaeggi – Motorsport.com) A query for Max. By way of turnarounds, how would you rank this one compared to different ones you have skilled throughout a race weekend, and which different ones come to thoughts? 
MV: I feel within the final couple of years, this has positively been probably the greatest, I might say. It has been some time that I’ve felt like we have been that far off. I imply, Singapore [2023] we had been off the entire weekend, in order that was only a horrible weekend. However right here we had been additionally fairly far off after which we managed to show it round. So it have to be not less than 5, six years, as a result of I do not actually keep in mind with the ability to flip it round like that. 
 
Q: (Matt Coch – Pace Café) To each Lando and Oscar, please. The tempo of the McLaren, you have stated, may be very near Max tomorrow and the Ferraris behind. What’s the important thing in your respective races to, I suppose, changing that? And a bonus one to Oscar, the place does this qualifying session stack up in your profession so far? 
LN: Truthfully, I do not know simply but. That is what tonight’s for. So I haven’t actually thought a lot in regards to the race and what to plan for. By way of tyres, I feel myself and Crimson Bull are comparable with what tyres now we have accessible for tomorrow. I feel another groups have completely different tyre selections. However yeah, tonight, in any case of those interviews and stuff, we form of get to work and talk about our plans for tomorrow. However on the minute, I do not know.
OP: Yeah, I imply, if you will get into the lead, that normally helps out a bit early on. So, yeah, I imply, in fact, you attempt to get a very good begin, however yeah, we’ll see. I feel when it comes to qualifying classes in F1, I feel, to be trustworthy, it has been a robust weekend the entire time. I really feel prefer it’s been a very good qualifying session for me, I might say, you recognize, up there. Most likely not the only finest however definitely up there within the classes I’ve had, and I really feel like you recognize the final couple of weekends… Like, Miami was a very good qualifying day and I really feel like right this moment’s been robust as effectively. So it has been good to construct a bit extra consistency which is one thing I have been attempting to work on. so I am pleased with my day’s work.
 
Q: (Carlo Platella – Method Ardour) Max, this morning you struggled additionally in FP3. In Suzuka, the group wanted to make some adjustments earlier than qualifying. And in Miami, you did not appear very assured with the automobile. Do you suppose that with this automobile it is tougher to get the proper set-up?
MV: No, really, I believed from the beginning of the yr it was really simpler in comparison with final yr. I feel the struggles that I had perhaps in some earlier races weren’t as large as what we had right here. It was extra about fine-tuning just a few little issues. Now we had been simply utterly out of the window, from my feeling, to actually push. So it simply required a bit extra consideration to element to try to fine-tune that. However yeah, I nonetheless suppose it is a very robust automobile that I really feel comfy with. Simply in some way this weekend it has been very tough to set it up. However yeah, hopefully we discovered loads from it after we get to the following race. I imply, it is at all times a tough one, Monaco, you recognize, to get every little thing out of the automobile as a result of so many issues can occur. However yeah, hopefully it is a bit extra constant, for example like that.
 
 
Q: (Zsolt Godina – F1Vilag.hu) To all of you, please. We have now extra gravel traps this weekend. As a driver, how tough was it to adapt this after quite a lot of trendy racetracks with enormous runoff areas? 
OP: I imply, sure, it makes it a bit tougher as a result of the chance is extra, however I imply, now we have monitor limits in all places we go. So there’s at all times the chance, even when the chance is a bit completely different. One is you find yourself within the gravel, utterly destroy the lap or the automobile. And the opposite is you go a bit vast, however you destroy your lap as effectively. It is a bit of a special danger. I feel right here, with a few of the white line adjustments we made final night time with the FIA, you recognize, we do not have to fret about whether or not we’re within the monitor or out of the monitor. We all know precisely if we’re in or out. And I feel for us, that is the extra satisfying factor and simpler for us. So, I feel that was a very good change in a single day. However yeah, positively in fact the consequence here’s a little bit increased than some locations, I might say. You already know, you backside out and it is yeah… I do know I stated the results are kind of the identical simply earlier than however If I used to be within the wall, I do not suppose I might say the identical factor. So I feel for us it’s a welcome factor. and I feel China was a really comparable instance. They added extra gravel again in there and we had been very complimentary of that work. So I feel we’d welcome it at different tracks as effectively.
MV: Yeah, I imply, actually, I feel it is nice. You already know, you get punished if you happen to go vast. And like Oscar stated, you recognize, you needn’t look: is my tyre within the white line or not, due to the adjustments that we made with the FIA, you recognize, to color wider strains. And actually, it is only a improbable monitor. I want we had 24 of these on the calendar. You already know, we go to quite a lot of tracks. that don’t actually excite me. However that is unbelievable. You already know, in a qualifying lap, that is the way it must be, you recognize. There are just a few old-school tracks that now we have remaining on the calendar and they’re at all times very thrilling. And that is additionally what I fell in love with once I began racing and watching F1. So yeah, we’d like extra of these.
LN: I really feel like we’re simply returning again to the way it was six years, seven years in the past. I do not know why. They made them tarmac. They stated it was unattainable that we might ever return, and now we’re simply going again to form of the way it was. However like Max stated, simply the actual fact we do not have to consider white strains. Once you’re attempting to drive and also you’re attempting to look the place the white line is relative to your tyre and form of guess, it is simply one thing we should not have to consider. So it is extra right down to the motive force simply taking the chance and form of committing to corners, particularly on a monitor like this. We have now to commit a lot. It is form of that danger/reward, which you’ve gotten. And on all of the tracks, it is easy for everybody simply to seek out the restrict, go over the restrict, after which slowly construct again to it. Much less difficult, you recognize? So I feel what could be much more thrilling was, as a lot as I am not the most important fan, is sort of a Dash race, you recognize, one FP1. Like this, it’s a much bigger problem for everybody and the drivers to seek out the restrict with out making too large errors. So yeah, I feel hopefully the route we will go in for extra of the tracks. However Imola is at all times a particular monitor, so we’re at all times going to be higher right here.
 
Q: (Antonio Spina – F1 in Generale) It is a query for Max, really. I used to be questioning if getting a pole the place your opponents are so near you or perhaps a little bit forward of you looks like extra satisfying than simply straight dominating the tempo?
MV: I imply, I might reasonably qualify eight tenths forward, however that is not attainable. It is extremely satisfying when you’ve gotten a turnaround like we had. So yeah, I used to be actually excited in qualifying and actually glad once I heard that we had been on pole. So I suppose by that, yeah, it was nice that it was that shut and that we actually, actually needed to combat for it. However I nonetheless come again to the primary level. I might reasonably qualify with loads in entrance! However I imply, that is the way it goes, proper? I suppose generally, you recognize, you’ve gotten weekends the place every little thing actually comes collectively after which the automobile turns into like unbelievable to drive. And it would not matter what you do, it simply feels improbable, after which you are able to do some actually like particular laps, which have occurred prior to now. However this was additionally actually cool.
 
Q: (Jake Boxall-Legge – Autosport) One other query for Max, please. Max, I feel you bought a tow in your ultimate pole lap from Nico Hülkenberg. Did that make a lot distinction to your lap general, or do you’re feeling fairly connected anyway?
MV: Yeah, we had been tow buddies on the market in Q2 already, Q3. So I gave him a tow to 17, then he gave me a tow to Flip 2. I feel I did arrive a bit too fast for my liking as a result of I did miss Flip 2 a bit bit. So I did achieve, then I did lose a bit in 2. General, I feel it did assist me a bit bit. However if you end up struggling the entire weekend after which lastly it is coming round, you need to search for these little benefits to try to keep forward. And it labored out fantastically. 
 
Q: (Rodrigo França – Automobile Journal Brazil) A query to the three of you. How is the connection of you drivers with the Italian followers? After all, they need to see a Ferrari profitable right here, getting pole. However in fact, I imply, I feel all of them respect you, particularly Verstappen and Norris racing right here in go-karting because you had been youngsters. So what is the relation with the Tifosi?
MV: Truthfully, it has been nice. And really, I had a shaggy dog story in qualifying the place we had been driving within the pits…
OP: You noticed him too?
 
MV: Lots of people had been clapping. Then one man, he was performing some various things to me, so I gave him the finger. After which the following time I got here round, he was clapping. So, you recognize, they be taught. You already know, it is easy to be not good to drivers, however I will also be not good to you, you recognize! So, fortunately he was a bit increased up. Nevertheless it’s good. After that, I suppose he appreciated it. However, you recognize, the followers basically listed below are very passionate. They love motorsport. After all, naturally, there’s extra assist for Ferrari right here, however that is completely tremendous. You already know, they’ve an enormous fan base. And, yeah, Italy loves motorsport. Go-karting as effectively, you recognize, after we grew up. I imply, it is actually improbable.
OP: Yeah, I noticed the identical man, I feel. He wasn’t giving me the finger, however he was giving me the thumbs down. However he was clapping for you. Wow. Did you signal with Ferrari or one thing? Is there one thing we do not know? I do not know. I imply, it is cool. I feel in all sports activities, a bit little bit of giving the opposition some stick is at all times good enjoyable, I feel, and a part of sport. After all, there’s at all times a restrict to that. However I feel that is what sport could be about. Generally, you recognize, you have a look at all of the soccer rivalries and stuff like this, there’s at all times a lot ardour on each side. And I feel the Ferrari followers are, you recognize, the epitome of passionate followers. They have been very welcoming this weekend. Possibly not from a distance within the pit lane, however you recognize, they have been very passionate. And you recognize, these are the form of followers that that we love in F1. For me, coming right here, it is my first time racing right here and it has been very particular however at all times Monza, although it isn’t my favorite monitor on the calendar, it is one in every of my favorite weekends due to the followers. And none of them are cheering for me, they’re all cheering for Ferrari. So I feel, for me, being a part of occasions like that’s at all times very particular. and Yeah, credit score to the Italian followers.
LN: Yeah, I noticed the identical man, however I feel he was on my facet. To be trustworthy, the Italian followers have at all times been extraordinarily form to me and really supportive. Yeah, so I’ve at all times beloved coming to… I imply, Monza is, for example, the Italian race that I feel everybody loves essentially the most. However yeah, all of them. There’s quite a lot of followers which have at all times supported me since go-karts. That is the place many of the races are in Italy once you’re that younger. So we spend quite a lot of time right here. However they’ve at all times been very supportive. So I thank the fan that was up there and all of them… I imply in fact I’m not in Ferrari, and quite a lot of them need me to go to Ferrari, however yeah, they’ve at all times been very passionate and nice followers to me, so I thank them for that.
 
ENDS