PART ONE – Liam LAWSON (Racing Bulls), Oliver BEARMAN (Haas), Fernando ALONSO (Aston Martin)

Q: Fernando, perhaps we could start with you. Not quite hometown hero, but home country hero. Look, it's been a tough start to the season for Aston Martin. Just how much satisfaction did the Monaco weekend and that point give you?
Fernando ALONSO: Well, hello everyone. Basically, I don't think that it made a huge difference on the weekend. We scored a point because different things happened in the race, with penalties and DNFs and things like that, but we cannot hide the truth that we were uncompetitive also in Monaco and we didn't deserve the point probably, in terms of pure pace. But yet I think this year is going to be difficult to score a point for any team, as the four top teams are always, if everything goes normal, in the top eight positions, and then only remains ninth and tenth. And Alpine could be easily fifth-fastest car, and then as I said, to grab any point I think you need some help from the cars in front and in Monaco it was extra help.
 
Q: Fernando, for a guy with your record of success, how have the current issues affected your motivation and your belief in the Aston project?
FA: Well, motivation, no big change, as I understand perfectly how this sport works and how everything is in Formula 1, and you need to have the right package to perform and you need to work around your team to get that package in the best place possible, as soon as possible as well, when you are not leading the pack. We see so many examples of drivers that they are out of the top 10, following year they are winning races, vice versa, they are winning races, then out Q1. So motivation is still there because I believe in myself and I have full trust in what I'm able to do. And I feel that when I have the same machinery as any other driver in the world, I never felt uncompetitive in Formula 1 or outside this paddock. I drive many different cars and I felt the same way all my life, and I still feel the same way now. And then the trust in the team? Obviously it's not ideal when you start a set of regulations on the back foot, because everything takes time. Especially in our case, I think the power unit, we found very quickly that we were not up to speed, and yes, it was a little bit immature, the project itself. So, we realised quickly that we would need time to catch up and we would need time to fix some of the issues. But in Formula 1 you race every two weeks and you need to deliver performance every two weeks. And we understood quite quickly that we were not able to do that and it will be a tough start of the season. But we are navigating through that tough start, and we have higher hopes for the second part of the year. But until then, every weekend is a little bit more or less the same story.
 
Q: On a lighter one to end with, World Cup starts today. How far will Spain get? Who's your biggest threat?
FA: Well, I hope we get to the final. I think we are European champions and we are very strong. So hopefully we can get to the final. And the biggest threat, I don't know. I would say France, as they have a very good team as well and good players. But always you have surprises in the World Cups.
 
Q: All right, Fernando, thank you very much for that. Ollie, if we could come to you now. Monaco seemed to be a case of what might have been for you. Had you had a clean run in quali and the race, how much pace did the car have?
Oliver BEARMAN: No, I think we were definitely in the battle for points, actually. I think we were maybe on par with Liam sitting next to me, maybe if it was a normal qualifying, let's say. Of course it's never a normal qualifying in Monaco, but we got a bit unfortunate with the red flag, the timing of the red flag. After that, I tried really hard to improve my lap time, but my tyres were just not in the temperature window. And around Monaco, you can't do anything if you have no grip. And I did my very best but just missed out by a tenth or so. After that the race was the race. We saw some stuff happening, but unfortunately, I had an issue of my own on the brakes and we had to retire the car. But I think in case of a clean quali, I would have liked to think we could have been fighting with the VCARBs, maybe Alpine as well actually. We were quite competitive in Monaco. So yes, I was looking forward to that, but at the end, after a bad quali, you can't really come back at all.
 
Q: Do you think that potential you just talked about will translate here in Barcelona?
OB: I hope so. I think these last two weekends we brought this upgrade package to the car in Canada. Honestly, it's been really tough to optimise and get performance out of it. We managed to salvage a point in Canada, but only because of a lot of cars retiring, and then Monaco was tough as well for other reasons. Both of those circuits are very bumpy. You have to run the car in a very different way, let's say, to the rest of the year. So, hopefully we're going to come here, it's a more favourable track for us, and hopefully we can optimise the package that we have. But actually, Friday we're going to have to be learning a lot about this car because we've come from a Sprint weekend and in Monaco. It's two very unique weekends on very unique tracks, so this is really a chance to learn about what we have.
 
Q: OK, thank you for that. A quick World Cup question. How far will England go? Can they bring it home? And who's the biggest threat?
OB: Oh, you're testing me now. I'm not the best in football knowledge, but of course I have high hopes for my country. I hope that they can win, but let's see how it goes. To be honest, the only football tournaments I'm watching, or the only football I'm watching in general, is the World Cup and the Euros. It's been a while since I watched a football match. I'm excited to see and of course wish England all the best.
 
Q: Thank you for that. And Liam, let's come to you now. What a race for you and the team in Monaco. How did your emotions after it compare to the P5 in Baku last year?
Liam LAWSON: Yeah, it was very different, honestly. Monaco is very special, and I think especially when we started the weekend we weren't actually very competitive, and we changed so much on the car over the weekend. And then the Sunday was just an emotional rollercoaster. I didn't think I was going to race. I got to the garage and the car was in pieces, where it had an issue, and the team did an amazing job to put it together. And I got out, did one lap to the grid basically, so we didn't really get to feel balance or anything like that. But yeah, we survived, which at the moment I think is a bit of what's been working for us. Obviously, we've got to try and keep that consistency, but we've been reasonably competitive, but just in the right place. And when people have had issues, we've been able to capitalise on it, and I think that's really what happened in Monaco. So, it was cool.
 
Q: You've had a great start to the season. How much of that is down to the car, and do you feel you've taken a step forward as a driver this year?
LL: I mean, yeah, I think the cars are very interesting this year. We're all obviously still getting used to them, learning. Development is obviously massive this year. We're all finding sort of big things most weekends, so we're all chasing that. And I think on a personal level – probably, I think we’re always evolving and learning. So, the more experience I have, I'm going to get better. And I think compared to last year, I would say I'm in a better place. I think there's been a bit more consistency this year and that's been helping.
 
Q: OK, bit of World Cup chat. New Zealand in Group G. How far will you get?
LL: Honestly, I probably know the least about football in this room. I'm just supporting Tim Payne. That's really all I can say.
 
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
 
Q: (Harry Benjamin – Sky Sports F1) Question for Fernando. Fernando, when you first came on the scene you were marked out as one of the immediate greats, and it only took you a couple of years before you were fighting for World Championships and sealing those titles. Now we're seeing Kimi Antonelli, who came to the end of the start this year with no wins and has just done five on the bounce. What do you make of his achievements, and can you give us an insight into the pressure that young drivers deal with at a young age and winning in Formula 1?
FA: Well, I think first we are in a different era of F1 where I think that, thanks to the technology, we are a bit more aware of the technicalities of the car. We have the simulators, we have different tools that help a little bit our arrival into F1. And I think he has an incredible talent. Probably the most noticeable time for him was in karting. I think in the junior formulas, you can argue that it was up and down in terms of results, and some of the drivers of his generation were able to stay in front of him with the same cars, even the one next to me [Bearman]. And now you have a car that is dominating, and you are adapting to that car and you are winning races without making any mistake, as you said, feeling the pressure of leading the Championship and leading a race, which is obviously a very good achievement. But this is Formula 1 and you need to perform at the highest level always. And if you have the opportunity, as he has this year, with a winning car and he's able to cope with the pressure and achieve the title, obviously it's an incredible thing for him and happy for him.
 
Q: (Mariana Becker – TV Globo) Hola, Fernando. At this time, usually for especially us Latin people, during the World Cup, is a time to provoke also, to tease each other, you know, with how's your team, how's my team, what we are going to expect and everything. We've been here for a while, even when Spain was the champion, I was here also covering and I saw all of you. Who's the best guy for you to provoke on the grid, or was at that time? And who's the one who understands best on this subject of soccer and football?
FA: Football, not many people understand in this paddock. A driver that used to be Fisichella and some of the Italians, but now Italy is not in the World Cup for three decades, so I would say Antonelli, but maybe Antonelli will be older when Italy comes back to the World Cup.
 
Q: (Craig Slater – Sky Sports) A question for Liam, actually. Sorry, Liam, we haven't heard anything official yet, but ADUO is on the horizon, the opportunity for teams to improve their power units if they're below the leading power unit. Do you think you have the best power unit in F1 at the moment, and would you be concerned if your rivals were able to improve theirs and you not?
LL: I think we have a good power unit for sure. I think we've done maybe [more than] what people expected, even maybe what we expected at the start, coming in with a brand-new power unit, new team to build that. And I think HPP has done an incredible job and we have a very competitive power unit. It's hard to know who's got the actual best. Everybody has different levels of efficiency with downforce and stuff like this, and even within teams you see differences sometimes on race weekends and straight-line performance and stuff. So I don't personally know if we actually have the best, but I just know it's very good. But I think obviously other teams also have very good power units.
 
Q: (Mara Sangiorgio – Sky Sports Italy) A question to Ollie. We were talking about Kimi before. You were one of his teammates in the past. Did he surprise you this year or did you expect him to be so strong?
OB: Yeah, of course I've raced with Kimi. We raced in Formula 4, Formula 2 as well, teammates in F2, and we had a great year together. Honestly, we're kind of going through the same journey of learning and improving every time we're in the car, particularly last year, and you saw that last year he struggled at times. And I think that's just part of the learning process. But it's clear that he's done a step this year and performing at a really high level. And honestly, it's really nice to see because I know, I've raced with him, we've raced together and I know how he drives. And seeing him perform on that level, it gives me the confidence that I can do that one day as well, when I get the opportunity. So, it's nice to see, and I hope to have the chance one day as well.
 
Q: (George Ananidas – Ant1 TV) Question for Fernando. You talked about an upgrade package that will change the car dramatically. Does this mean that we'll see you fighting in the midfield or further up the grid during the season, or it's a package that works towards 2027?
FA: Well, both. It works into 2027 because definitely we need to improve our situation. But no, I think our hope is that the second part of the year will be a more competitive one and we can start fighting in the midfield. Yes, that's the aim.
 
Q: (Jose Antonio Galindo – MediaSet) I'd like to ask, it doesn't matter if things go well or not, there's always so many fans here in Barcelona cheering up for you, and on Sunday, on Saturday, you will have all the people cheering up. I don't know if you had a message for them, and to think after all these years how much they have cheered for you?
FA: Sure. It's going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1. So, I want to say thanks to everyone. I will try to enjoy the weekend. I will not be competitive and I will not be too long in the car in qualifying, and in the race hopefully yes, but not at the pace that we all want. But I want everyone to still enjoy the weekend. It has been always a celebration when they come to Barcelona. I think it's my 23rd Spanish Grand Prix, and all of them have been magical. And this last has to be magical as well.
 
Q: (Santi Torres – Catalan Television) Fernando, you've been racing here, you said 23rd Grand Prix here in Barcelona, but 27 years. Which is your best memory that you have here in this circuit? Which has been the most special win and obviously the most special race?
FA: Well, they are linked together normally. When you win, it becomes the special one. But I would say 2006 because it was huge expectations for us after winning the Championship in ’05 and being in pole position. Everyone expected us to win on Sunday. I think I will remember that one as number one memory. And many things that happened on this weekend. My first single-seater test, I think that was back in 1994. My first Renault test, my first Benetton test was here as well. And then a few things here and there and moments that I will remember always. A lap with Juan Carlos, the King, in the Renault Megane, which in Turn 3 I remember he was maybe not that comfortable in the car, and I didn't realise that the King was in the passenger seat. These kinds of things, a lot of stories happened on this circuit, so a special place.
 
Q: (Harry Benjamin – Sky Sports F1) Liam, you've had a great season so far this year. You've scored in five of the first six rounds, Sprint and Grand Prix various. It feels like it's really clicking now for you after a couple of sort of turbulent seasons. What do you put that down to, and do you feel like you can put your name in the hat for a top drive again?
LL: Yeah, I mean, I think you always learn, you always get better. So for sure I'm in a better place than I've ever been in Formula 1. But I think also the last couple of years, the way I came into Formula 1 was quite unique as well, at the back end of both seasons, of ’23 and ’24. So last year was, I guess, first full season, but obviously started very rocky. And I think this year had a proper pre-season. And with new cars, obviously we're all working on learning them. And I just think we've done a good job, and I've learned a lot from the last couple of years as well and I feel like I've sort of been able to put that to use this year. And yeah, I mean, I know it's motor sport. Obviously a bad weekend is eventually going to come and we all have that, but at the moment it's been good. We've had good momentum and I think as a team we've done a very good job and I'm looking forward to trying to continue that. I don't think it's anything specific other than just experience, honestly.
 
Q: (Jesus Balseiro – Diario AS) When you say probably your last Barcelona race, is there any slight chance you could be here in two years' time in the next one, or what do you have in mind when you think about the future? In case you wanted to stay, is it only a one-year thing?
FA: Yeah, I mean, I don't have anything in mind. After summer I will take the decision to continue or not. But Barcelona obviously is not happening next year, so if I don't know what I will do next year, it's nearly impossible to be sure what I will do in two years' time. But I consider every race that I go this year that potentially could be my last time. In Australia, my last time; in China, my last time; in Monaco. And here in Barcelona there is a little bit more of that chance, as it's not happening next year as well. 
 
Q: (Pepijn van der Hulst – RacingNews365.com) Question to all three. What's your view on the rule changes for next year and 2028 regarding the PU split? Thank you. 
FA: Yes, I said in the last few races as well, obviously now there is a confirmation on the rules. But yes, let's see. I think we need to give time and hopefully things get better and the fans enjoy it a bit more, and drivers, we are a little bit happier with the car. But at the end of the day, these power units, they have this DNA and it will be difficult to change. You can make a small tweak on the rules, but it will always reward to go slower in the corners to have more energy on the straights, and that's, as I said, the DNA of the rules. And by race seven of this year or whatever, that we need to change the rules for next year and potentially for 2028, it tells you that it was something wrong from the beginning.
OB: Yeah, I think the rule changes are in the right direction. It's moving more towards consistency and being able to drive how we've all grown up driving, which is driving on instinct and not thinking really about the knock-on effect of, if you drive this corner differently to the way you did the lap before, is it going to have a positive effect or a negative effect? That's not ideal. We're quite limited on gear usage, all of these things you have to be really strict on. So, there's really not a lot of opportunity to invent. And I think already giving a bit more work to the ICE and a bit less to the ERS is a step in the right direction. Even if it's a phased step, I think it’s more towards what we want, maybe not all the way where we want, but it’s a step in the right direction.
LL: Yeah, I agree with what they both said. I think we just want to drive cars that we can drive flat out and not have to think about anything else, and I think that’s a step in the right direction to that. But I think, as Fernando said, the baseline is always going to be there a little bit, and I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to fully avoid that with these power units.
 
Q: (Bas Holtkamp – Formula1.nl Magazine) Question for Fernando. We all know the rivalry between Barcelona and Madrid in football. Now it's here in F1 of course as well. You're the ambassador for this Grand Prix, Carlos for Madrid. How's the rivalry between you guys on this aspect?
FA: No, thanks God, this is not the same as football. We are enjoying, we feel privileged to have two Grands Prix in our country, and both of us we are extremely lucky about this situation. I think Barcelona, Madrid, also they are very different between them, so there is not any problem on that. Barcelona is, at the end of the day, our home Grand Prix for everybody in Spain because, as I said, in 1994 I did my first single-seater test here, and we test a lot of things here. When there is an event or a sponsor or a hot lap, we come to Barcelona. So, this is a circuit that we know very well. We have the MotoGP and we have different activities around Barcelona. It's a 365-day activity. Madrid is more a one-off event and different approach, and the new approach that Formula 1 is taking with races like Baku or Singapore or Miami, with different people coming to enjoy the race and to enjoy the weekend and to have fun in Madrid and having a different experience. And both of them are complementary and they are both good for the Spanish fans and for the country.
 
Q: (Silvia Arias – Parabrisas) Fernando, mentally how hard is for you to think about that maybe this is your last year? As you said, my last race, maybe that one, the next one. Is this hard, or is it helping a lot to have already a family with your son right now?
FA: No, I mean, it's not hard. For me the hardest thing is not to win races and not to be competitive. If it's the last or not the last, it's not affecting too much. I'm in peace with my career and with my life, and if anything comes now, welcome. If it doesn't come, it will not change my feeling. I achieved a lot more than I ever dreamt when I was a kid or I was here, as we said again, my first test here or my go-kart experience when I was racing in Spain. I never dreamt to be Formula 1 driver and then race for the best teams in the paddock and stay for very long time. So, everything is a plus. It is a plus now. I'm not as competitive as we all want to be in the team now, and that's probably the biggest pain that we go through every weekend. But in terms of personal feeling, it's not too hard or it's not anything.
 
Q: (Diletta Colombo – Automoto) A question for Fernando. If you could choose the architecture of the power unit, what would you opt for?
FA: Probably not hybrid. So fully combustion engine with sustainable fuels, and if you have to have anything on the electrical side, something like a small boost that can be used for overtaking. So it was like a generation of cars that we had six seconds of 150 horsepower back in 2010 to 2013 or whatever, and those six seconds per lap you were using those strategically in different moments and places in the race, but also in qualifying, depends on your strengths and weaknesses of your car and things like that. Maybe maximum that kind of electrification.
 
Q: How many cylinders?
FA: As many as you wish.

PART ONE – Liam LAWSON (Racing Bulls), Oliver BEARMAN (Haas), Fernando ALONSO (Aston Martin)

Q: Fernando, perhaps we could start with you. Not quite hometown hero, but home country hero. Look, it's been a tough start to the season for Aston Martin. Just how much satisfaction did the Monaco weekend and that point give you?
Fernando ALONSO: Well, hello everyone. Basically, I don't think that it made a huge difference on the weekend. We scored a point because different things happened in the race, with penalties and DNFs and things like that, but we cannot hide the truth that we were uncompetitive also in Monaco and we didn't deserve the point probably, in terms of pure pace. But yet I think this year is going to be difficult to score a point for any team, as the four top teams are always, if everything goes normal, in the top eight positions, and then only remains ninth and tenth. And Alpine could be easily fifth-fastest car, and then as I said, to grab any point I think you need some help from the cars in front and in Monaco it was extra help.
 
Q: Fernando, for a guy with your record of success, how have the current issues affected your motivation and your belief in the Aston project?
FA: Well, motivation, no big change, as I understand perfectly how this sport works and how everything is in Formula 1, and you need to have the right package to perform and you need to work around your team to get that package in the best place possible, as soon as possible as well, when you are not leading the pack. We see so many examples of drivers that they are out of the top 10, following year they are winning races, vice versa, they are winning races, then out Q1. So motivation is still there because I believe in myself and I have full trust in what I'm able to do. And I feel that when I have the same machinery as any other driver in the world, I never felt uncompetitive in Formula 1 or outside this paddock. I drive many different cars and I felt the same way all my life, and I still feel the same way now. And then the trust in the team? Obviously it's not ideal when you start a set of regulations on the back foot, because everything takes time. Especially in our case, I think the power unit, we found very quickly that we were not up to speed, and yes, it was a little bit immature, the project itself. So, we realised quickly that we would need time to catch up and we would need time to fix some of the issues. But in Formula 1 you race every two weeks and you need to deliver performance every two weeks. And we understood quite quickly that we were not able to do that and it will be a tough start of the season. But we are navigating through that tough start, and we have higher hopes for the second part of the year. But until then, every weekend is a little bit more or less the same story.
 
Q: On a lighter one to end with, World Cup starts today. How far will Spain get? Who's your biggest threat?
FA: Well, I hope we get to the final. I think we are European champions and we are very strong. So hopefully we can get to the final. And the biggest threat, I don't know. I would say France, as they have a very good team as well and good players. But always you have surprises in the World Cups.
 
Q: All right, Fernando, thank you very much for that. Ollie, if we could come to you now. Monaco seemed to be a case of what might have been for you. Had you had a clean run in quali and the race, how much pace did the car have?
Oliver BEARMAN: No, I think we were definitely in the battle for points, actually. I think we were maybe on par with Liam sitting next to me, maybe if it was a normal qualifying, let's say. Of course it's never a normal qualifying in Monaco, but we got a bit unfortunate with the red flag, the timing of the red flag. After that, I tried really hard to improve my lap time, but my tyres were just not in the temperature window. And around Monaco, you can't do anything if you have no grip. And I did my very best but just missed out by a tenth or so. After that the race was the race. We saw some stuff happening, but unfortunately, I had an issue of my own on the brakes and we had to retire the car. But I think in case of a clean quali, I would have liked to think we could have been fighting with the VCARBs, maybe Alpine as well actually. We were quite competitive in Monaco. So yes, I was looking forward to that, but at the end, after a bad quali, you can't really come back at all.
 
Q: Do you think that potential you just talked about will translate here in Barcelona?
OB: I hope so. I think these last two weekends we brought this upgrade package to the car in Canada. Honestly, it's been really tough to optimise and get performance out of it. We managed to salvage a point in Canada, but only because of a lot of cars retiring, and then Monaco was tough as well for other reasons. Both of those circuits are very bumpy. You have to run the car in a very different way, let's say, to the rest of the year. So, hopefully we're going to come here, it's a more favourable track for us, and hopefully we can optimise the package that we have. But actually, Friday we're going to have to be learning a lot about this car because we've come from a Sprint weekend and in Monaco. It's two very unique weekends on very unique tracks, so this is really a chance to learn about what we have.
 
Q: OK, thank you for that. A quick World Cup question. How far will England go? Can they bring it home? And who's the biggest threat?
OB: Oh, you're testing me now. I'm not the best in football knowledge, but of course I have high hopes for my country. I hope that they can win, but let's see how it goes. To be honest, the only football tournaments I'm watching, or the only football I'm watching in general, is the World Cup and the Euros. It's been a while since I watched a football match. I'm excited to see and of course wish England all the best.
 
Q: Thank you for that. And Liam, let's come to you now. What a race for you and the team in Monaco. How did your emotions after it compare to the P5 in Baku last year?
Liam LAWSON: Yeah, it was very different, honestly. Monaco is very special, and I think especially when we started the weekend we weren't actually very competitive, and we changed so much on the car over the weekend. And then the Sunday was just an emotional rollercoaster. I didn't think I was going to race. I got to the garage and the car was in pieces, where it had an issue, and the team did an amazing job to put it together. And I got out, did one lap to the grid basically, so we didn't really get to feel balance or anything like that. But yeah, we survived, which at the moment I think is a bit of what's been working for us. Obviously, we've got to try and keep that consistency, but we've been reasonably competitive, but just in the right place. And when people have had issues, we've been able to capitalise on it, and I think that's really what happened in Monaco. So, it was cool.
 
Q: You've had a great start to the season. How much of that is down to the car, and do you feel you've taken a step forward as a driver this year?
LL: I mean, yeah, I think the cars are very interesting this year. We're all obviously still getting used to them, learning. Development is obviously massive this year. We're all finding sort of big things most weekends, so we're all chasing that. And I think on a personal level – probably, I think we’re always evolving and learning. So, the more experience I have, I'm going to get better. And I think compared to last year, I would say I'm in a better place. I think there's been a bit more consistency this year and that's been helping.
 
Q: OK, bit of World Cup chat. New Zealand in Group G. How far will you get?
LL: Honestly, I probably know the least about football in this room. I'm just supporting Tim Payne. That's really all I can say.
 
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
 
Q: (Harry Benjamin – Sky Sports F1) Question for Fernando. Fernando, when you first came on the scene you were marked out as one of the immediate greats, and it only took you a couple of years before you were fighting for World Championships and sealing those titles. Now we're seeing Kimi Antonelli, who came to the end of the start this year with no wins and has just done five on the bounce. What do you make of his achievements, and can you give us an insight into the pressure that young drivers deal with at a young age and winning in Formula 1?
FA: Well, I think first we are in a different era of F1 where I think that, thanks to the technology, we are a bit more aware of the technicalities of the car. We have the simulators, we have different tools that help a little bit our arrival into F1. And I think he has an incredible talent. Probably the most noticeable time for him was in karting. I think in the junior formulas, you can argue that it was up and down in terms of results, and some of the drivers of his generation were able to stay in front of him with the same cars, even the one next to me [Bearman]. And now you have a car that is dominating, and you are adapting to that car and you are winning races without making any mistake, as you said, feeling the pressure of leading the Championship and leading a race, which is obviously a very good achievement. But this is Formula 1 and you need to perform at the highest level always. And if you have the opportunity, as he has this year, with a winning car and he's able to cope with the pressure and achieve the title, obviously it's an incredible thing for him and happy for him.
 
Q: (Mariana Becker – TV Globo) Hola, Fernando. At this time, usually for especially us Latin people, during the World Cup, is a time to provoke also, to tease each other, you know, with how's your team, how's my team, what we are going to expect and everything. We've been here for a while, even when Spain was the champion, I was here also covering and I saw all of you. Who's the best guy for you to provoke on the grid, or was at that time? And who's the one who understands best on this subject of soccer and football?
FA: Football, not many people understand in this paddock. A driver that used to be Fisichella and some of the Italians, but now Italy is not in the World Cup for three decades, so I would say Antonelli, but maybe Antonelli will be older when Italy comes back to the World Cup.
 
Q: (Craig Slater – Sky Sports) A question for Liam, actually. Sorry, Liam, we haven't heard anything official yet, but ADUO is on the horizon, the opportunity for teams to improve their power units if they're below the leading power unit. Do you think you have the best power unit in F1 at the moment, and would you be concerned if your rivals were able to improve theirs and you not?
LL: I think we have a good power unit for sure. I think we've done maybe [more than] what people expected, even maybe what we expected at the start, coming in with a brand-new power unit, new team to build that. And I think HPP has done an incredible job and we have a very competitive power unit. It's hard to know who's got the actual best. Everybody has different levels of efficiency with downforce and stuff like this, and even within teams you see differences sometimes on race weekends and straight-line performance and stuff. So I don't personally know if we actually have the best, but I just know it's very good. But I think obviously other teams also have very good power units.
 
Q: (Mara Sangiorgio – Sky Sports Italy) A question to Ollie. We were talking about Kimi before. You were one of his teammates in the past. Did he surprise you this year or did you expect him to be so strong?
OB: Yeah, of course I've raced with Kimi. We raced in Formula 4, Formula 2 as well, teammates in F2, and we had a great year together. Honestly, we're kind of going through the same journey of learning and improving every time we're in the car, particularly last year, and you saw that last year he struggled at times. And I think that's just part of the learning process. But it's clear that he's done a step this year and performing at a really high level. And honestly, it's really nice to see because I know, I've raced with him, we've raced together and I know how he drives. And seeing him perform on that level, it gives me the confidence that I can do that one day as well, when I get the opportunity. So, it's nice to see, and I hope to have the chance one day as well.
 
Q: (George Ananidas – Ant1 TV) Question for Fernando. You talked about an upgrade package that will change the car dramatically. Does this mean that we'll see you fighting in the midfield or further up the grid during the season, or it's a package that works towards 2027?
FA: Well, both. It works into 2027 because definitely we need to improve our situation. But no, I think our hope is that the second part of the year will be a more competitive one and we can start fighting in the midfield. Yes, that's the aim.
 
Q: (Jose Antonio Galindo – MediaSet) I'd like to ask, it doesn't matter if things go well or not, there's always so many fans here in Barcelona cheering up for you, and on Sunday, on Saturday, you will have all the people cheering up. I don't know if you had a message for them, and to think after all these years how much they have cheered for you?
FA: Sure. It's going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1. So, I want to say thanks to everyone. I will try to enjoy the weekend. I will not be competitive and I will not be too long in the car in qualifying, and in the race hopefully yes, but not at the pace that we all want. But I want everyone to still enjoy the weekend. It has been always a celebration when they come to Barcelona. I think it's my 23rd Spanish Grand Prix, and all of them have been magical. And this last has to be magical as well.
 
Q: (Santi Torres – Catalan Television) Fernando, you've been racing here, you said 23rd Grand Prix here in Barcelona, but 27 years. Which is your best memory that you have here in this circuit? Which has been the most special win and obviously the most special race?
FA: Well, they are linked together normally. When you win, it becomes the special one. But I would say 2006 because it was huge expectations for us after winning the Championship in ’05 and being in pole position. Everyone expected us to win on Sunday. I think I will remember that one as number one memory. And many things that happened on this weekend. My first single-seater test, I think that was back in 1994. My first Renault test, my first Benetton test was here as well. And then a few things here and there and moments that I will remember always. A lap with Juan Carlos, the King, in the Renault Megane, which in Turn 3 I remember he was maybe not that comfortable in the car, and I didn't realise that the King was in the passenger seat. These kinds of things, a lot of stories happened on this circuit, so a special place.
 
Q: (Harry Benjamin – Sky Sports F1) Liam, you've had a great season so far this year. You've scored in five of the first six rounds, Sprint and Grand Prix various. It feels like it's really clicking now for you after a couple of sort of turbulent seasons. What do you put that down to, and do you feel like you can put your name in the hat for a top drive again?
LL: Yeah, I mean, I think you always learn, you always get better. So for sure I'm in a better place than I've ever been in Formula 1. But I think also the last couple of years, the way I came into Formula 1 was quite unique as well, at the back end of both seasons, of ’23 and ’24. So last year was, I guess, first full season, but obviously started very rocky. And I think this year had a proper pre-season. And with new cars, obviously we're all working on learning them. And I just think we've done a good job, and I've learned a lot from the last couple of years as well and I feel like I've sort of been able to put that to use this year. And yeah, I mean, I know it's motor sport. Obviously a bad weekend is eventually going to come and we all have that, but at the moment it's been good. We've had good momentum and I think as a team we've done a very good job and I'm looking forward to trying to continue that. I don't think it's anything specific other than just experience, honestly.
 
Q: (Jesus Balseiro – Diario AS) When you say probably your last Barcelona race, is there any slight chance you could be here in two years' time in the next one, or what do you have in mind when you think about the future? In case you wanted to stay, is it only a one-year thing?
FA: Yeah, I mean, I don't have anything in mind. After summer I will take the decision to continue or not. But Barcelona obviously is not happening next year, so if I don't know what I will do next year, it's nearly impossible to be sure what I will do in two years' time. But I consider every race that I go this year that potentially could be my last time. In Australia, my last time; in China, my last time; in Monaco. And here in Barcelona there is a little bit more of that chance, as it's not happening next year as well. 
 
Q: (Pepijn van der Hulst – RacingNews365.com) Question to all three. What's your view on the rule changes for next year and 2028 regarding the PU split? Thank you. 
FA: Yes, I said in the last few races as well, obviously now there is a confirmation on the rules. But yes, let's see. I think we need to give time and hopefully things get better and the fans enjoy it a bit more, and drivers, we are a little bit happier with the car. But at the end of the day, these power units, they have this DNA and it will be difficult to change. You can make a small tweak on the rules, but it will always reward to go slower in the corners to have more energy on the straights, and that's, as I said, the DNA of the rules. And by race seven of this year or whatever, that we need to change the rules for next year and potentially for 2028, it tells you that it was something wrong from the beginning.
OB: Yeah, I think the rule changes are in the right direction. It's moving more towards consistency and being able to drive how we've all grown up driving, which is driving on instinct and not thinking really about the knock-on effect of, if you drive this corner differently to the way you did the lap before, is it going to have a positive effect or a negative effect? That's not ideal. We're quite limited on gear usage, all of these things you have to be really strict on. So, there's really not a lot of opportunity to invent. And I think already giving a bit more work to the ICE and a bit less to the ERS is a step in the right direction. Even if it's a phased step, I think it’s more towards what we want, maybe not all the way where we want, but it’s a step in the right direction.
LL: Yeah, I agree with what they both said. I think we just want to drive cars that we can drive flat out and not have to think about anything else, and I think that’s a step in the right direction to that. But I think, as Fernando said, the baseline is always going to be there a little bit, and I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to fully avoid that with these power units.
 
Q: (Bas Holtkamp – Formula1.nl Magazine) Question for Fernando. We all know the rivalry between Barcelona and Madrid in football. Now it's here in F1 of course as well. You're the ambassador for this Grand Prix, Carlos for Madrid. How's the rivalry between you guys on this aspect?
FA: No, thanks God, this is not the same as football. We are enjoying, we feel privileged to have two Grands Prix in our country, and both of us we are extremely lucky about this situation. I think Barcelona, Madrid, also they are very different between them, so there is not any problem on that. Barcelona is, at the end of the day, our home Grand Prix for everybody in Spain because, as I said, in 1994 I did my first single-seater test here, and we test a lot of things here. When there is an event or a sponsor or a hot lap, we come to Barcelona. So, this is a circuit that we know very well. We have the MotoGP and we have different activities around Barcelona. It's a 365-day activity. Madrid is more a one-off event and different approach, and the new approach that Formula 1 is taking with races like Baku or Singapore or Miami, with different people coming to enjoy the race and to enjoy the weekend and to have fun in Madrid and having a different experience. And both of them are complementary and they are both good for the Spanish fans and for the country.
 
Q: (Silvia Arias – Parabrisas) Fernando, mentally how hard is for you to think about that maybe this is your last year? As you said, my last race, maybe that one, the next one. Is this hard, or is it helping a lot to have already a family with your son right now?
FA: No, I mean, it's not hard. For me the hardest thing is not to win races and not to be competitive. If it's the last or not the last, it's not affecting too much. I'm in peace with my career and with my life, and if anything comes now, welcome. If it doesn't come, it will not change my feeling. I achieved a lot more than I ever dreamt when I was a kid or I was here, as we said again, my first test here or my go-kart experience when I was racing in Spain. I never dreamt to be Formula 1 driver and then race for the best teams in the paddock and stay for very long time. So, everything is a plus. It is a plus now. I'm not as competitive as we all want to be in the team now, and that's probably the biggest pain that we go through every weekend. But in terms of personal feeling, it's not too hard or it's not anything.
 
Q: (Diletta Colombo – Automoto) A question for Fernando. If you could choose the architecture of the power unit, what would you opt for?
FA: Probably not hybrid. So fully combustion engine with sustainable fuels, and if you have to have anything on the electrical side, something like a small boost that can be used for overtaking. So it was like a generation of cars that we had six seconds of 150 horsepower back in 2010 to 2013 or whatever, and those six seconds per lap you were using those strategically in different moments and places in the race, but also in qualifying, depends on your strengths and weaknesses of your car and things like that. Maybe maximum that kind of electrification.
 
Q: How many cylinders?
FA: As many as you wish.

PART TWO – Franco COLAPINTO (Alpine), Kimi ANTONELLI (Mercedes), Carlos SAINZ (Williams)

Q: Carlos, one of two home Grands Prix for you this year. Now, it was a frustrating end to your race in Monaco, but given the rate of improvement we've seen with this car this year, what can your fans expect here in Barcelona?
Carlos SAINZ: Yeah, I think in Monaco we had a very solid weekend, but unfortunately, we didn't manage to bring the points home after that incident eight, nine laps to go. But you know, it's a P9 or a P10, and I've realised that when I go to sleep on a Monday I don't care that much about the P9 or a P10 because in the end what I'm here for is for podiums, wins, top fives, and that's my ultimate target. So, if there's going to be any racing incidents that take away the P9, that day I'm going to be frustrated, but then I can get over it very quickly. Barcelona, I think it's clear it's going to be a more frustrating weekend for us. I think Williams is known for having a bit of a weak track here in Barcelona. I think this year's car shouldn't be particularly good for here, but at the same time it's a great opportunity for us as a team to understand why and see where our weakness lies. So, I think we're going to put everything we have to understand that and to try and make progress. Having said that, I'll try and score points.
 
Q: You missed the shakedown back in February here in Barcelona. Is that a big disadvantage?
CS: For me, no. I know this place pretty well by now, many years coming to Barcelona, so I don't think I will miss doing the shakedown. But maybe for the engineers, having a first look at how the energy will work through the lap and how to launch the lap, how to do the long runs, for sure we will be, say, half a step behind, because it's true that a lot has changed since January, even on the Mercedes power unit. So, we will see. I think not ideal, but it's not the end of the world.
 
Q: OK. Just end with some World Cup chat. How far is Spain going to get? Who's your biggest threat?
CS: Well, I hope Spain wins the World Cup. I think we have a very strong team. I think we proved it in the Euros a few years ago, so it's time to win the World Cup again, and if not, do the best we can. But rivals, I don't know. I haven't been following football much this year, so I cannot tell you who do you think is our threat.
 
Q: All right, thank you very much for that. Kimi, can we come to you now?
Kimi ANTONELLI: Don't ask me about World Cup, by the way.
 
Q: Well, go on then. Who do you think will win, even if it can't be Italy?
KA: Well, definitely it cannot be us. I don't know, too many strong teams. Obviously, I'm a big fan of Messi since the time he was playing in Barcelona. But I think it's going to be a very close fight. Argentina is very strong, Spain very strong, England is very strong, Germany as well. So, let's see. I cannot give you really an answer. I wish it was Italy though, but yeah.
 
Q: Let's take it back to Monaco quickly. First of all, have you found your towel yet?
KA: No, still looking for it.
 
Q: Can we talk about the celebrations? What was it like to jump into the harbour? How was the party at the palace?
KA: Well, I don't want to know what was in the water, first of all, in the harbour. But it was enjoyable, very refreshing after a hot race, and it was good. It was a good moment with the whole team. It was a good moment to share and to witness as well. And I think it's one of those moments that you will remember forever. And I think also seeing the team so happy and involved really made me happy as well. So definitely it was very cool. But of course, Monaco is in the past now and obviously we have Barcelona this weekend. We'll try to repeat ourselves, even though it's not going to be easy. Then about the palace gala, it was cool. I'm not used to doing these kinds of things, but it was a really cool experience and definitely wouldn't be bad to be back next year as well.
 
Q: Just talk a little bit more about Barcelona and prospects for this weekend. Do you think Mercedes come here with the best package for Barcelona?
KA: I think first of all it's going to be an interesting weekend for us because we will see how the package that we brought in Canada will work. I think we couldn't really see, or we couldn't see the full potential or how much it's actually giving us because Canada was quite unique conditions, with the temperature being so cold, and obviously Monaco again is another unique track. So obviously Barcelona is a more standard track and we'll see better how the package works and how much it's actually giving us in terms of lap time. However, I think our competitors are still fairly close. I mean, Red Bull was very strong in Monaco, Ferrari has brought some new bits this weekend, so for sure they're going to be up there. And then also McLaren. I think McLaren is going to be very strong as well, because high-deg track, quite hot, and Miami was kind of similar and they were very strong as well. So, I think it's not going to be straightforward, but we're ready to do our best.
 
Q: Thank you for that. And Franco, let's come to you. Kimi is a Messi fan. Just give us your thoughts on Argentina's chances in the World Cup.
Franco COLAPINTO: I think I beat him. I'm a bigger Messi fan, but we might have a little bit of a tie. No, I think Argentina is always a great team and in the tricky moments or in the pressure moments they always play better, and they're really good at that. So not going to say we're going to win because it's very bad luck, but hopefully we can have a good World Cup and enjoy. Of course, ’22 was a great World Cup. We enjoyed it a lot in Argentina. They made us very happy and hopefully it's another good World Cup, this one.
 
Q: And Franco, tell us about your season now. It feels like you've taken a big step forward this year, especially since Miami. What's changed for you?
FC: I think a few things, but just generally feeling more comfortable in the car and feeling more together, a bit more connected. And I think it all went in the right direction after that little break before Miami. And just I think we did the right steps and we found some things that really helped to put me in a better place. And yeah, just feeling a bit more connected with the car, that really helps. This year with the energy, there are many factors that play a big part in the performance, and I think we are being more consistent and just in a better place since that little break.
 
Q: Are you happier in the ’26 regulation cars than you were the ground effect cars of last year?
FC: I think in the Alpine car I felt better this season than the previous one.
 
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
 
Q: (Harry Benjamin – Sky Sports F1) Question to Kimi. Kimi, Fernando was just talking about what it's like to arrive in Formula 1 quite young and then start winning and challenging for Championships only after a season or two in the sport. How are you finding that pressure, that expectation and the step up from your rookie season to this year. What's changed to make that happen?
KA: Well, a lot has changed. I think the year of experience itself has been playing a massive role, just making your own experiences and understanding what's good and what's not good for you during the weekend and outside the weekend. So definitely it's just the experience, being able also, coming back into the weekend and having done it the year before plays already a massive difference because you know better the track evolution during the session, you know better how the weekend is structured as well, so you're also able to balance your energies in a better way. And so also when you go in the car you feel also better in terms of energies, but as well also you become more aware of your potential. Also, you get to know even better the team, so the bond just gets stronger and stronger with the team. And so it's all little things that at the end of the day play a massive role. And then about Championship, we are not really worrying about it. Of course, I know the opportunity that is on the table, and of course I want to make the best out of it and try to maximise it. But at the same time, I don't want to drive or race thinking about that. I just want to try to really focus on the process, what I have to do, and trying to enjoy as much as possible as well the driving, the weekend, and just trying to drive as fast as possible, and then we'll see where we end up at the end of the year.
 
Q: (Rui Chagas – DAZN Portugal) Well, first of all, I'm sad to hear that you don't put Portugal on the top teams.
KA: There are so many. Just named a few. But for sure there are a lot more. I didn't name France as well, so yeah.
 
Q: (Rui Chagas – DAZN Portugal) Fair enough. Well, congratulations, first of all, for another win at Monaco. Continuing a bit of this question and the conversation, last year I asked you if you ever doubt about yourself and you were pretty hard on yourself, saying that you did have questions at a certain point. Do you still have questions about your potential?
KA: Not really, to be fair. Last year was definitely a big feature. I would doubt a lot about myself, especially during that difficult period in Europe. But this year obviously has been a different story. Also, you mature a lot after one year of Formula 1, not only as a driver but also as a person. And I think also last year during the difficult period, I got to know myself better. So definitely, considering how bad it was in the moment, actually I'm very grateful that it happened because it made me grow a lot and it taught me a lot about myself as well. I think this year, so far, I haven't been questioning or doubting myself. However, there are questions that still need to be answered on my side. How much further I can go in a short period of time? How much can I push myself even further? How much more can I grow and how big is the potential? So, there are still many questions that need to be answered, and it will still take a bit of time.
 
Q: (Craig Slater – Sky Sports F1) Question for Franco and maybe for Carlos as well. We hear that the stewards have admitted Alpine's protest about Pierre Gasly's penalty in the Grand Prix. What would it mean to the team if they ultimately uphold it and he were to get that podium back? You obviously had a penalty in the race as well. Just for Carlos, from a GPDA perspective, can you summarise any discussions that took place in advance of the Grand Prix about maybe some confusion about the potential, how the pit lane speed was being monitored?
CS: Honestly, on the GPDA there hasn't been a discussion about that yet, but I expect Friday night, is that tomorrow evening, to probably be featured as part of the conversation. I think it's very difficult for me to say exactly what happened because it didn't happen to me and to us, so I haven't looked into the detail of it. But I think there are some tracks where you can shortcut a bit the pit entry and it's allowed, or the FIA is happy to do that, and maybe there are other tracks where it wasn't expected, and it happened, you go over the speed limit. But I think Franco, being part of what happened, maybe he can explain better with the team and with Alpine and FIA.
FC: Of course, we are waiting for the decision but looking forward to it. Of course, I think in Monaco you could cut a little bit the left kink of the pit entry and it was only on our right and we were not going off the track, so we could definitely do it. And looks like, due to a matter of distance, we looked over speeding, but we were not. So hopefully they can review it and give us some feedback soon.
 
Q: (George Ananidas – Ant 1 TV) A question for Kimi. It's been two years now since we last spoke. Back then you were winning races in F2. Could you even dream back then that you would be leading the F1 World Championship in just two years’ time and now contending for the title?
KA: Of course not. I think I would have put a signature if you would have told me even at the start of the year. But of course, back then in F2 obviously the goal was to get into Formula 1, and then obviously also how the races go, how is the performance, then obviously expectations, they change and also the objective of what you want to achieve changes. But definitely if you would have told me two years ago I would have said you're crazy. But obviously I'm very happy I'm in this position right now. I'm very happy and glad for the opportunity that was given to me and also for the incredible work that the team is doing. The car that this team has given us so far this year has been incredible and it's allowing us to fight for wins and so far for the Championship. So definitely it's a very good moment to be in, but of course it's really important not to get carried away from it and just try to stay focused, stay grounded and just focus on the ultimate goal and try to deliver every race.
 
Q: (Mara Sangiorgio – Sky Sports Italy) A question to Kimi. Nothing is official yet, but as a team, would you be surprised if you could get benefit from ADUO?
KA: Yeah, I mean, to be fair I'm not really into, well, I don't really know the decision behind and everything because obviously I'm not into this, so it would be better to ask the team and FIA how this was assigned, on what base. But for sure, at least on my side, I was surprised because I think our PU is very strong, but for sure there were reasons behind it. And of course, the team now will need to start working on trying to see and find where we can gain even more performance. So, it's a process that is not going to be short term, it's going to be a long-term process because still to find more performance on the engine takes time. So definitely the team has done an incredible job already with PU, and I'm sure they will put their maximum effort to try and extract even more performance now that we get this benefit.
 
Q: (Mariana Becker – TV Globo) Hi, Kimi. Just to remind you, there is an Italian coach coaching Brazil team, just to remind you, before my question. Kimi, we saw you talking to your father right after the race, saying, "Did you realise how fast we were?" And he said, "You were fast, you were fast." And we saw sometimes Toto coming on the radio saying, "Calm down, calm down," and everything. You're kind of getting into your place as someone who's achieving a lot. Who guides you through this path, to be grounded, as you said, or to find the right way to go through this?
KA: Well, first of all my family, for sure. My dad is like a big rock for me because I know I can rely on him in any situation. And also of course together with my mum, but they're the two persons that know me the best. So, for sure, having them is great because they've always been guiding me in the right direction, especially when they were saying that I was maybe losing a little bit the path. And then, of course the team. I've been with the junior team since 2018, then obviously I stepped up with the senior team last year. And of course, also them, Bono, Toto, who I know very well by now, but the whole team in general has been really supportive. They've been really supporting me in the good and in the bad, and then also they've been guiding me through this journey so far and it's been very enjoyable.
 
Q: (Graham Harris – Motorsport Monday) A question for Carlos. You've driven the new Madrid track in a road car. What are your initial impressions? Do you think they've listened to drivers and made it a track where you can do passing, or is it another show track in the city centre?
CS: Honestly, I was positively surprised by it. I think especially they've done a really good job with sector two and the fact that they've managed to open up sector two to be more of a permanent-style track, with a lot of flowing corners and of course the big bank, the almost 180-degree flat-out, that I think it would be flat-out corner. So I think it's important for Formula 1, to have, for a Formula 1 track to have character. And I think Madrid has managed to have something out of the ordinary, extraordinary, like that corner and that section of the track. Then, if it produces good racing or not, I think it's too early to say, but it has two pretty long straights and a very fast flowing section, so in theory it should produce overtaking. But we need to go racing and we need to analyse it. And then I think it's the kind of place and track where I think Madrid would be very happy to, if they can improve something in the future, they will change or improve towards the future, which is the philosophy of the city and the philosophy of the project.
 
Q: (Jaime Vigara Sanchez – TheBestF1.es) Hello Carlos, welcome to Barcelona. What is your goal this weekend? Do you think you can score points in Barcelona?
CS: Yeah, I think we can. I think we need to do everything perfect, and they're going to be expensive because it's going to take a lot of effort to get them. I think Canada, Miami and Monaco are tracks that suit our car a bit more than what Barcelona does. But we are improving every single weekend, and if we manage to improve another little bit here, then hopefully we can be in the hunt for points. But it will not be easy, but we will try.
 
Q: (Silvia Arias – Parabrisas) Good afternoon. Franco, what are right now the differences between your car and Pierre's car in terms of new parts, new floor, whatever?
FC: Nothing.
 
Q: (Luke McLaughlin – The Guardian) Kimi, people may say that you feel pressure now, but it seems like you are enjoying the pressure, if you do feel it. So it's like a much better pressure than being at the back of the grid and scoring no points in a bad car.
Kimi ANTONELLI: Yeah, I mean, I said before, I feel first of all very lucky to be in the position I am. Of course, it requires a lot of effort and commitment, and of course job's not done, so we've got to keep pushing. But one thing I said to myself at the start of the year is trying to as well enjoy as much as possible all the weekends, the time going in the car, because I feel like also when I do so, I'm able to extract and maximise as well my performance. So, it's been a helpful factor. It also helped me to drive a bit more relaxed and not as tense as I was last year. So that's definitely playing a big factor. And again, just racing without worrying about anything else other than just trying to maximise the performance on track is also playing a big factor, just focusing on what I have to do without worrying about anything else.
 
Q: (Brian Van Hinthum – GPFans) Question to Kimi as well. Talking about pressure, with all your good results and the absence of the Italian football team, are you feeling you're getting more and more of a home country hero, like for example Jannik Sinner in tennis?
KA: Well, I don't know exactly because I haven't come back into Italy in a while. But I know from what I heard, expectations are getting quite high. And I know also, by being Italian, how we can get very excited about things. But of course it's great to see so much support, and it's just growing and growing, and also if you're able to embrace it, it's an extra, I feel like. So it's been great and hopefully it's just going to keep growing.
 
Q: (Carlos Miquel Gomez – Diario Marca) Question for Kimi and for the other guys, Carlos and Colapinto. Kimi, I read these days and I see some videos that you are the new Senna. Do you think it's extra pressure receiving this type of awards? And for Franco and Carlos, if anybody can beat Kimi for this Championship with this advantage he has?
KA: Wow, what a strong question. No, I haven't read about that, and to be fair, I don't really also like the comparison because I don't feel like I should be compared to someone who has made the history of the sport and I haven't done not even a single bit of what he has been able to achieve. So I don't feel like it's very fair. And also I myself, I don't really like it because I said before, for all these reasons. And yes, he's my idol, he's someone I get inspired, but I just feel like it's not really fair to get compared to him, especially at this stage of my career, because it's just the beginning and there's still so much to achieve, so much to do and so much to improve, and I feel like I'm still very far from his level. So that's my answer.
CS: Well, I don't think we even know how many races are left, because of the calendar also. So it's difficult to put a number to it, of how much it's Kimi's to win or to lose. But I think he's been driving great. I think he's done an incredible year so far. I think he's maximising his car and his chances of winning races. I think the closer it gets to a Championship, normally the pressure also gets higher and higher, as we saw last year with Oscar and Lando. The closer you get to that crunch point, when you see the Championship is yours or not, I think that's when it gets real. And I back 100% in Kimi that he can do it. So, I don't know. It's going to be super exciting to see. I think it's going to be a great Championship and I think so far, if he keeps driving like he's driving, it's going to be very difficult for anyone to beat him.
FC: Yeah, no, I think if he keeps running like this it will be tough for anyone. But no, he's doing a great job and it's been very impressive to see the last few races how he recovered as well from tricky moments, some difficult starts to weekends, and he recovered very well from quite an impressive gap from the far east and in Monaco. And I think of course there is a long Championship to go and a lot of things can happen, but it's a big gap for only the start of the year.
 
Q: (Bas Holtkamp – Formula1.nl Magazine) Question for Kimi. You got quite some advice from Lewis and from Max. Do they also tell you how to beat Russell?
KA: No, we haven't talked specifically about that. Well, Max, his latest advice was to wait for the red light to go off and wait one second. Then unfortunately, yeah, he had the PU issue, but that was his latest advice, which obviously was a joke. But no, we haven't talked specifically about that. We talk about a lot of stuff, but not so much about that. He just said to keep doing what I'm doing, keep enjoying, keep being myself, and then the results will come. So yeah, it's been obviously, I think many drivers, but obviously also as we're talking specifically about Max and Lewis, them being very kind as well since I've joined the sport and they seem to be very supportive as well. So of course it's great to see, it's great to witness on my side. But of course, yeah, they also don't want to, I mean we're still competitors at the end of the day, so you still don't want to give too many advices. But yeah, it's been fun, the relationship with them.

ENDS