Bruno Famin, Crew Principal: It was optimistic to see our efficiency stage in Monaco, to be in and across the top-10.
We knew Qualifying can be vitally essential to the tip outcome and that’s the reason we’re all happy with the enhancements we made throughout Friday Follow into Saturday Qualifying day. However we all know Monaco may be very particular and we should preserve pushing and striving for delivering probably the most from the automobile every time we’re on observe.
Montreal is a spot we love coming again to yearly, due to the very particular environment right here. It’s an fascinating observe with some difficult nook combos and tight partitions in locations. Being a short lived circuit, the observe is usually fairly ‘inexperienced’ within the first session on Friday. However because it has been fully resurfaced for this yr, the grip and common circumstances will probably be essential to evaluate early within the weekend. With overtaking alternatives, it normally gives some good racing. The climate will also be very combined in Montreal as we now have seen in earlier years, so we have to be prepared for all eventualities.
In Canada, we now have determined to make use of the primary necessary younger driver Free Follow 1, with Jack Doohan within the automobile rather than Esteban, giving him the chance to get behind the wheel of the A524. With Jack’s nice work within the simulator in current races, we will depend on his invaluable suggestions in Montreal.
Esteban Ocon: Rather a lot has been mentioned in current days, so I’m very a lot trying ahead to driving once more and getting again out on observe. My focus and vitality is absolutely devoted to the group and maximising our outcomes on observe, beginning already this weekend in Canada. The tempo we confirmed in Monaco was optimistic, notably in Qualifying trim the place we had the chance to get each vehicles into Q3. As a group, we now have been making regular progress over the course of the season. Regardless of the circuit traits being fairly totally different, hopefully we will carry momentum into Montreal and present related pace as we did in Monaco. The sector is extraordinarily shut in the intervening time, so extracting each little bit of efficiency counts.
Montreal is an occasion I actually take pleasure in returning to every yr. The followers are unimaginable, the observe is enjoyable to drive, and the town actually embraces the occasion. Town centre has a pageant environment and in addition a French flavour alongside it! The followers at all times come out in enormous numbers regardless of the climate, which as we now have seen prior to now may be fairly unpredictable. From the newest climate forecast, we could possibly be in for extra of the identical this weekend. Straight-line pace is essential in Montreal, as is stability underneath braking and using the kerbs. Additionally, the observe may be fairly bumpy in sure locations, so will probably be fascinating to see how the automobile behaves with the brand new asphalt.
Pierre Gasly: It felt a very long time coming, however it was good to attain my first level of the season in Monaco. The efficiency felt rather more collectively than in earlier races. We didn’t start in such a optimistic state however we made sturdy enhancements between Friday and Saturday, which made us fast sufficient to be in Q3. Whereas that was pleasing in itself, because it was our first Q3 go to of the yr, it was positively a missed alternative as we had the tempo and I had the boldness within the automobile to be increased up on the grid. Even so, tenth is the place we ended up and that is the place we ended the race. Some extent is an effective reward however we should preserve pushing for extra.
Subsequent up is Canada. It is at all times an fascinating place to race as it is a non-permanent circuit, which brings some fascinating challenges all through. We expect a a lot smoother format because the observe has been resurfaced however that may additionally imply grip is low particularly on Friday Follow day. Within the final two seasons, we now have seen a moist Qualifying. We must bear in mind on the variability in circumstances we’d see all through the weekend in Montreal and be prepared for something. Proper now, although, I’m happy with the progress in current weeks and we should intention to proceed that with optimistic on observe performances.
Jack Doohan: Actually excited to get out on observe in Montreal for FP1. It is going to be my first time driving at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, which I’m trying ahead to. I’m grateful to the group for the chance to get extra observe time, and in addition familiarise myself with 2024 equipment early within the season. This will even assist with the work I’m doing within the simulator, notably on the European rounds. My focus will probably be on doing one of the best for the group and maximising the session for each drivers, taking a look at sure check gadgets and understanding the brand new observe floor.
