PART TWO – Franco COLAPINTO (Williams), Max VERSTAPPEN (Purple Bull Racing), Nico HÜLKENBERG
Q: Nico, let’s begin with you. It is time for a little bit of reflection. You are leaving Haas after this race. Simply how will you look again on the final two years, to start with?
Nico HÜLKENBERG: Constructive, with a variety of good feelings, with a variety of pleasure and enjoyable that I had over the previous two years. I believe we have, you understand, we have grown collectively and fairly robust in that point and it has been a really enjoyable experience and journey with them. I believe we, not less than personally for myself, you understand, actually outperformed the expectations, actually that I had personally coming into, you understand, the extra time a part of my profession after two years out. So I replicate on it in a really optimistic means. and particularly this yr you understand I believe it has been very profitable and I really feel no matter the place we will find yourself Sunday evening you understand we we have had a really profitable yr and we form of received already. However that does not imply after all that we’re that we’re not going to do that weekend.
Q: What’s been the spotlight for you of those two years?
NH: Nicely, I believe naturally you at all times return to probably the most profitable races. However I believe for me, that is too easy. It is simply been, you understand, the experience and the journey collectively. Like I mentioned, I had a variety of enjoyable and pleasure. And, you understand, I’ve not at all times felt that a lot pleasure racing and dealing in Components 1. So for me, that is simply one of the best factor and clearly the extra time of the extra time that’s nonetheless to return from you understand subsequent yr onwards I believe that is most likely additionally the prolonged spotlight.
Q: You say you have received already this yr as a group however can I get you to elaborate on the battle for P6 simply by way of automotive efficiency you versus Alpine? How do you see it this weekend?
NH: I see it very tight. The entire midfield could be very tight, like we noticed over the previous couple of weekends. Small issues could make an enormous distinction. I believe it will be very tough this weekend to show it round after what occurred final Sunday and them [Alpine] scoring a variety of factors once more. However our package deal is aggressive. We’re fast on benefit. Personally, all I need to obtain is to maximise and optimise this remaining weekend collectively and luxuriate in it.
Q: Be sure to try this. Get pleasure from it. Nico, thanks very a lot. Max, let’s come to you now. A extremely nice victory for you and the group on Sunday in Qatar. Simply how a lot confidence does that efficiency offer you coming into the season finale right here in Abu Dhabi?
Max VERSTAPPEN: I imply, it’s kind of of a unique monitor right here, nevertheless it additionally exhibits that even when issues will not be going properly, there’s nonetheless a possibility which you could flip issues round or make it extra aggressive, as a result of in Qatar, beginning the weekend, we weren’t very fast. After which, yeah, after we went into qualifying, the correct qualifying, we have been there to battle, so it exhibits that there was some extra efficiency within the automotive and I used to be very pleased with that. This monitor? It has been good to us prior to now, however after all this yr lots has modified anyway. So I am simply relaxed and looking out ahead to it. Hopefully we be taught a bit extra concerning the automotive that we are able to additionally use them for subsequent yr.
Q: Is it vital to enter the winter on the again of a victory?
MV: Nicely, I imply, it could be good, nevertheless it’s not one thing that can change the world for us within the winter. We all know what we’ve got to work on. So, yeah, we simply attempt to be as aggressive as we might be.
Q: Can we simply replicate on 2024 for a second? A vastly profitable marketing campaign for you, however how does this world title examine to the opposite three?
MV: I imply, we had this chat already in Vegas.
Q: You’ve got had a little bit of time to replicate.
MV: I imply, I nonetheless lend a hand! We did a particular press convention for it. I sat there. I used to be ready. I needed to exit. I needed to have a beer. I needed to have a drink. Now I am answering the identical query once more.
Q: I do not suppose you’d waited, truly…
MV: I needed extra. I ran out. I needed to sit there. I couldn’t…
Q: OK. However look, only for individuals who weren’t in Vegas in that press convention.
MV: They will watch it again!
Q: OK. Nicely, let’s speak concerning the Dutch Grand Prix. Last one from me. Yeah. Look, information has come that, sure, they’ve expanded the deal by a yr, however 2026 goes to be the final one for now. Can we simply get your response to that information?
MV: Yeah, I imply, after all, after I have a look at it, it is, after all, one thing that I am unhappy about that it isn’t going to proceed. However however, additionally, I am very happy with what they’ve executed. And I believe after I began in Components 1, I might have by no means imagined that we might return to Zandvoort. And the races that we have had there, the occasion that they placed on, I’ve a variety of respect for that. And I am proud that I performed an element in that as properly. And seeing all of the followers there was and is, after all, wonderful. And I am actually wanting ahead to the ultimate two years. However they are often very happy with what they’ve achieved. And yeah, I believe the ultimate yr, 26, we’ve got a Dash occasion additionally. They are saying they are going to exit with a bang. So I am additionally very excited to see that.
Q: Thanks for that. Franco, thanks for ready. Let’s come to you. The final three races have been irritating for you. What objectives have you ever set your self right here in Abu Dhabi?
Franco COLAPINTO: I need to end the yr on a excessive. I believe the group deserves that. They’ve executed a variety of work throughout all of the yr, particularly the final couple of races, however they deserve a great end result and to complete the yr on a excessive. I believe it’s fairly vital for all of us. So, yeah, the final three runs have been fairly robust, however I am positive we are able to bounce again stronger right here and have a great weekend.
Q: You’ve got raced at Yas Marina earlier than in Components 2. How a lot will that enable you this weekend?
FC: Yeah, it does assist. After all, having three periods to check, three FPs, it is already adequate, you understand, to attempt to nail each element. However figuring out the monitor, it can assist. It is going to be the primary monitor that I do know after Monza. So it is for positive going to be higher. And yeah, let’s examine the way it goes. Cannot await tomorrow.
Q: Final race of the yr, ninth race for you in Components 1. How will you look again on these races these final three months?
FC: It was very thrilling. It was my dream come true, you understand. And since I began in Monza, I knew a variety of issues needed to occur and I needed to be taught lots and I needed to preserve shifting ahead. And I believe once you have a look at the larger image that not many instances it occurs in F1, I believe it is a variety of, you understand, you’re pretty much as good as your final race. And I believe that is how Components 1 works. Trying on the larger image, I believe I did a fairly good job. I attempted to maximise the chance that Williams gave me. It was an unbelievable likelihood and I believe one thing I respect lots. James and Sven, everybody within the group, put the boldness and the belief to present me a seat and to present me that chance. Yeah, I believe Vegas was fairly robust. Being robust on me, I believe, it was a fairly large mistake going for it within the final lap in Quali, attempting to place the automotive in Q3. That is the place I look again and I simply suppose that some errors might have been averted, however I believe wanting on the general image and the expertise was my dream come true. So, yeah, very excited to see the place the long run departs.
Q: Nicely, what does the long run maintain for you?
FC: How do I do know that? It is unimaginable. It is very arduous to know. Nonetheless one race to go along with Williams. Very excited to be right here again in Abu Dhabi. It was the place I did a few laps final yr after the race within the Williams for the primary time. So excited to be again right here the place all the pieces began.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Roldan Rodriguez – DAZN, Spain) Franco, you’re leaving the combination of the Components 1. While you arrived to the massive circus, you made some wonderful races. Some folks evaluating you with Ayrton, wonderful. After which the final races weren’t as you anticipated, a few crashes. Is the Components 1 what you anticipated once you simply arrived?
FC: Yeah, I believe you possibly can by no means count on what will occur. And despite the fact that you see Components 1 for therefore a few years, once you’re inside, it is utterly completely different. And I believe I look again and I loved each single second of it, which is crucial half. And it was an awesome expertise, to be sincere. At all times, you understand, you may have these up and downs. It was not going to be simple. The primary 5 rounds have been actually, actually good. After which I believe it was one other problem for Brazil with the moist, with the inters for the primary time, first time in an F1 within the rain. And it was a troublesome expertise, however, you understand, I needed to undergo these moments, I believe, as a rookie. Vegas attempting to place the automotive in Q3, you understand, I went to a restrict and I went a bit over it. And, yeah, final weekend, I believe it was fairly robust as properly for the group. We did wrestle, I believe, beginning with the automotive on an previous spec. It was very tough for us on my aspect of the storage. We have been shifting ahead on the weekend, and it was getting higher. However I believe we struggled with beginning on an previous spec. But it surely’s regular, you understand. It is a part of the game. And now we come right here, I believe, with good expectations and looking out ahead to do a great weekend.
Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports activities F1) A query for Max, however I would be inquisitive about Nico’s ideas on this as properly. Let’s return to Qatar. Fabulous win after selecting up that penalty on the Saturday evening for an incident that occurred on a cool-down lap for each you and for George Russell. You had an awesome assembly with the stewards going ahead on the Thursday evening about driving requirements. Are you frightened that the penalty that was given units a precedent now for going ahead that drivers might use to get different drivers into hassle once you’re each on a settle down lap? as a result of it was form of a historic penalty and I can not keep in mind an incident like that on a settle down lap getting a penalty earlier than.
MV: Yeah, I’ll go flat out on my cool app. And I’ll act like I’ll crash with everybody. I do know. Truthfully, I simply did not perceive. I did not even know why I used to be in there. After which, actually, after I was in there, I used to be simply attempting to clarify the story behind it. I used to be simply attempting to be good. Lando handed me as a result of he was a second behind me on the SC2. He was on colder tyres as a result of he solely did a construct. Or he needed to abort his lap or no matter. So he handed me. I used to be like, ‘OK, no matter, I simply again out. I do not need to be in anybody’s means’. We’re anyway in Q3, simply discovering monitor place. Then I believe Fernando got here out of the pits with new tyres. And I believe it was fairly clear that weekend with the brand new tyres, it’s a must to push fairly arduous on the out lap to get temp. So out of Flip 10, I see him within the mirror, flying. I am like, ‘OK, I am going to let him by, no matter, after which I’ll simply kind myself out’. Then, after all, all the pieces slowed up in entrance, as a result of there have been fairly a couple of vehicles. And I slowed down as properly, as a result of I do not need to then pace up, attempt to damage their preparation as properly. After which I see somebody flying in my mirror, appearing like probably the most harmful state of affairs simply occurred and he virtually killed himself or one thing. It was unbelievable. And we have been all on the gradual lap. It is not even like somebody was on a quick lap. So yeah, after I received referred to as to the Stewards, it was an enormous shock to me, as a result of I did not actually impede anybody. I believe additionally on the gradual lap, all of us drive on our regular traces, as a result of we’re all attempting to not choose up filth anyway. It is not obligatory when everyone seems to be driving gradual. However then, yeah, I do not understand how they got here, after all, to that conclusion. It was, after all, for me, very disappointing, as a result of, by truly attempting to remain out of hassle, you place your self in hassle. And in addition, I believe, at that time of the season, virtually the top of the season, I do not need to be preventing with anybody. They arrive after me after qualifying, like, ‘why did not you damage my lap, to begin my lap? What are you doing?’ So I am like, oh, I do not need to put myself in that place. However principally, by doing that, I put myself in that place the place I needed to be going to the Stewards. And I felt right away after I was in there, it was not going to go anyplace. So it was very bizarre.
Q: Nico, any remark from you, what you noticed?
NH: Yeah, no, I do not perceive it both. Like Max defined, in Qatar, there was a variety of completely different, you understand, run profiles, folks doing all kinds of various stuff. And, you understand, it is very simple to get tousled. However we drivers know that, too and I believe we additionally should construct that in and, you understand, depart some buffer. And, yeah, I do not perceive why Max received a penalty there.
Q: (Albert Fabrega – ESPN) A query for Franco. A whole lot of rumours and conversations concerning your future. Are you attempting to remain away of all the pieces or are you asking fairly often otherwise you simply concentrate on the automotive and never fear about that?
FC: I’m attempting to remain away. I attempt to benefit from the second. In the mean time it is my final race, so I am attempting to present one of the best I can for the group. They’ve executed an awesome job and so they deserve that and I nonetheless have one weekend with Williams. I am simply attempting to benefit from the second. After which we are going to see later after the race what occurs subsequent yr.
Q: (Diego Mejia – Fox Sports activities Mexico) Query to Max. Firstly of the yr, Max, Checo was in a position to be near you in some way. Because the European season, he has struggled extra. Out of your view, why has he struggled extra? What has been his contribution to your success this yr? And is all of the criticism towards him unfair?
MV: Yeah, it is very tough to pinpoint that. I imply, our automotive from the beginning, after all, has not been the best to drive. We have been nonetheless, after all, dominant to start with, however then I believe, yeah, with some upgrades on the automotive, it made it much more tough to drive. After all, additionally for me, however I believe much more for Checo for his driving type. And yeah, when others are closing up, each little element makes a large distinction in outcomes or the place you qualify. As a result of should you then do not qualify properly, you are in the course of the pack, issues can go improper. And yeah, from my aspect, it is very tough to remark for him, why issues have gone the way in which they’ve gone. However I can let you know that, after all, in the course of the season, particularly, our automotive has been a bit everywhere in the store, generally fairly optimistic. And once more, very tough. And even for us, it was simply very arduous to search out the course. And for positive, that additionally did not assist Checo usually. I imply, I’ve to say he is at all times been an awesome group participant, and I’ve at all times loved working with him each single Grand Prix, even after we had robust instances. I believe he was at all times there to try to get the very best end result out of it. So for me, there’s nothing damaging in any respect to say about him. We get on tremendous properly. And naturally, after I see generally he is scuffling with the outcomes, it isn’t good to see, additionally for the group. However I believe additionally the group has at all times given their best possible and at all times tried to assist him in the very best means, you understand, to get one of the best out of it. However sadly, that did not at all times occur.
Q: (Nelson Valkenburg – Viaplay) For all three, if doable, given that is the final race of the season, what is the single factor you are probably the most happy with? And what is the factor you go into the winter in considering, that is the factor I’ll enhance for subsequent yr?
NH: I want to do much less errors subsequent yr, nevertheless it’s a good midfield, and it is at all times a really small, positive, slim window as a result of we’re so tight. Generally it’s a must to depart the consolation zone. You need to take dangers, and errors do occur very simply. And with these vehicles, should you lose it, you lose it in an enormous means usually. That is possibly one factor. And I am simply very joyful and happy with the season, what we have executed this yr, how we have picked ourselves up from final yr and the place we began this yr and the way we have come by means of. A few actually robust performances from everybody within the group. And that is been a cheerful, proud second.
MV: After all, I am happy with successful the championship. However moreover that, I believe how we’ve got labored as a group and the way I’ve additionally saved myself collectively all through a troublesome interval within the season the place it was simple to be demotivated and quit on a variety of issues. Really working more durable with the group, you understand, looking for options and getting on high of it or not less than understanding our hassle and once more bounce again and nonetheless obtain some nice outcomes on the finish of the yr. Plus, I believe the race in Brazil. The feelings went from being tremendous upset within the morning, wanting such as you have been going to lose a variety of factors within the championship and it truly changing into a correct battle, to then, after all, successful the race from P17. For me, that’s positively a race that I am very happy with in how we have dealt with all the pieces. I believe all these issues collectively.
FC: I believe changing into an F1 driver for these 9 races was positively the proudest. Nonetheless a variety of issues to enhance and a variety of issues to be taught. After all, 9 races shouldn’t be sufficient to reach to my peak, and I preserve understanding issues each time. And each time I leap within the automotive, I am studying stuff with engineers, with the mechanics. Fortunately, everybody within the group has been very supportive to assist me and perceive fast many of the issues, however nonetheless an extended approach to go.
Q: (Diletta Colombo – Automoto) A query for Max. Earlier than, you have been speaking concerning the behaviour of your automotive in the course of the season, that it was a bit erratic. How tough was it to maintain frustration at bay and extract the utmost out of your automotive?
MV: Yeah, I imply, I believe it helped that lots got here out in Hungary. And after that, yeah, we had some good chats throughout the group. And it by no means works, you understand, once you’re annoyed on a regular basis since you’re not going to maneuver ahead. So I believe from there onwards, you understand, we actually labored properly collectively and really tried to essentially actively search for enhancements and options. And it was arduous to know at instances, however I believe at one level we discovered a course that we needed to look into, and that is what we proceed to do.
Q: (Adam Cooper – Adam Cooper F1) I believe you made a reasonably robust remark to George popping out of the Stewards’ listening to on Saturday evening. And clearly you have been then very vital of him to us. Do you may have any regrets about something you mentioned to him instantly or something you mentioned about him to us? Are you going to make any effort to speak to him this weekend or are you simply going to let this go into the winter?
MV: No. No regrets in any respect, as a result of I meant all the pieces I mentioned. And it is nonetheless the identical. If I needed to do it once more, possibly I might have mentioned much more, figuring out the end result of the race end result. I nonetheless cannot consider that somebody might be like that in a Stewards’ room. For me, that was so unacceptable, as a result of I imply, we’re all racing drivers. All of us have a variety of respect for one another. We even play sports activities collectively. You journey collectively. And naturally, you may have moments the place you get collectively, you crash or no matter. You are not joyful. In my entire profession, I’ve by no means skilled what I’ve skilled within the Stewards’ room in Qatar. And for me, that was actually unacceptable.
Q: (Shanna Lutgert – F1 Maximaal) I’ve a query for Max. You have been approaching the radio throughout the Qatar race to ask for the yellow flag state of affairs with Lando and also you have been asking for a few updates as properly. Had been you pushing for the stewards to take a look at that since you have been hesitant about if they’d do one thing about it?
MV: It was only a regular query. I imply, I knew that I lifted, and I immediately look within the mirror, and I noticed that the hole closed up lots. So I simply requested, did he elevate or not, simply to double test. After all, generally with yellow flags, some folks elevate greater than others. And yeah, you possibly can achieve some tens right here or there. I fortunately tried to play it protected, after which simply requested and see the end result of it.
Q: (Velimir Veljko – Avto Fokus) I’ve a query for Max. You will have a superb begin to the season. Then after this collection of victories, you had a bunch of issues with vehicles, with group, with driving within the midfield. How do you overcome all that? The place did you discover the facility, strategies, type to beat this and to be again on high on the top of season prefer it was a few races earlier than?
MV: Yeah, I imply, we had a troublesome time. And the issue was that we did not actually perceive, I believe, totally what was the explanation behind it, as a result of all of the numbers that we noticed have been truly promising. So it is simply looking for it, attempting to know what goes improper, attempting to enhance that stability within the automotive. And that is what we’ve got executed. And it took, after all, a couple of races to get on high of. After which, after all, it’s a must to make modifications. And in a season with a price range hole, it is very robust generally additionally to calculate what you are able to do and what you can’t do. Some stuff you can not change within the season. That is for subsequent yr. However I am happy with how we’ve got discovered options and the way we’ve got develop into, once more, extra aggressive.
Q: (Ronald Vording – Motorsport.com) It is one other one to Max. You mentioned in Singapore that the worst of the season was behind you again then, which turned out to be proper. How a lot confidence does the Qatar win offer you for the course Purple Bull is heading in for ‘25? As a result of Technical Director Pierre Wache advised us, ‘I am not very assured concerning the ‘25 automotive but, as a result of should you’re assured in F1, you’re lifeless’ – that was his quote. Is that the mindset you may have as properly, that you just’re not likely assured but concerning the new yr’s automotive?
MV: For me, it is extra about simply at all times looking for extra efficiency. You at all times need to do higher. And naturally, there are at all times limitations with the automotive that you just work on. And I believe this yr we discovered a couple of extra limitations than final yr. So not less than it provides us extra instructions to work on for subsequent yr. And time will inform the place we’re.
Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) One other query to Max, please. Max, I simply questioned should you might focus on the work that you just put in on the manufacturing facility this yr. The group fairly open in saying that you just have been there greater than in earlier years. I simply questioned, what have been you doing? How vital did you discover it? And in addition, how happy with you? How proud you’re of that work?
MV: Yeah, I believe in ‘23, all the pieces virtually glided by itself. After all, I did my work. I went to drive on the simulator. However when the automotive is in a really good window, generally once you attempt to overstress issues, it additionally would not work once you attempt to look into too many particulars. That is anyway how I by no means operated, attempting to look into too many particulars, as a result of it might probably additionally work towards you. This yr was much more tough. Everybody was struggling to know, after all, for me as properly, I did not perceive why we have been the place we have been. So simply asking questions, working collectively, taking a look at information, taking a look at evaluation that got here up after each single race we are able to. And naturally, I am not the engineer, I am not going to inform them learn how to design a ground or no matter, a suspension. However I can ask questions, after which we focus on, and we undergo what we are able to see from the information of the monitor, wind tunnels, CFD, all this stuff, simulator. And with all of the good heads within the group, you sit collectively and also you simply have an open dialogue about issues. And I clarify my difficulties with the automotive. After all, we do it right here as properly. We’re speaking and we’re speaking again to the manufacturing facility. But it surely’s not eye to eye with everybody. And that is why I believe generally it is crucial to have everybody collectively in the identical room.
Q: (Ben Hunt – Autosport) Sorry, one other one for Max. I’ve received to ask, however what’s it that George did in that assembly that angered you a lot? And is it barely conflicting the truth that he is director of the GPDA as properly?
MV: No, it has nothing to do with him being the director of the GPDA. I simply by no means anticipated somebody to essentially try to actively get somebody a penalty that badly and mendacity about why I used to be doing what I used to be doing. However clearly, it had an affect to them. Yeah, it was simply actually not good and really very stunning what was occurring there.
Q: (Rodrigo França – Automobile Journal Brazil) Query to Max, however Franco and Nico can remark as properly. Relating to to 2025, the foundations will not change a bit of far more. However for 2026, there shall be a bit of revolution on F1 guidelines. As a driver, the motive force’s standpoint, do you want what F1 is doing for the brand new automotive?
MV: I am within the center. I imply, time will inform. I do not know if it will be good. I do not know if it will be dangerous. I simply, it is unimaginable to say now that, you understand, the end result of it. I simply wait and see till we’ve got the true automotive. After which, you understand, you possibly can choose a bit higher if it is optimistic or not.
NH: Yeah, it is unimaginable to inform now. You understand, it’s a must to drive the automotive to know it, to really feel it, to essentially know what is going on on. So simply from paper, it is unimaginable to inform for us proper now.
FC: Yeah, identical. There’s, I believe, so many issues and elements nonetheless to be developed and the groups have to know many issues. So, yeah, a very long time to know but.
