GP3 Series: Congratulations, your first win in GP3 and you do it at Monaco, happy boy?
Marlon Stockinger: Yes I am! After yesterday’s race, starting sixth and losing two places I was a little bit unhappy with my start but on the bright side it gave me pole for today. It was just about making the start work and remaining consistent. Around here, you also need a little bit of luck and I am glad it worked out in the end! I was just glad to bring the car home and do this for my team, all of them did a great job. The car was so nice to drive and I also got fastest lap which is a few extra points so really happy about that. It was a great weekend, I couldn’t have asked for more. So many times when you start on pole, you think you mustn’t let the pressure get to you so I would be lieing to you if I said wasn’t thinking about the prestige of the event and the previous winners who have won here in F1, GP2 and now GP3. But at the end of the day I stepped up and took victory!
GP3 Series: Did you feel the pressure from Felix Da Costa, especially at the two restarts?
Marlon: I guess here you have to expect in a Series like GP3 that it’s always going to be very close. I just focused on myself really and made sure I got the proper exit from the corners as it’s so hard to overtake here. I just wanted to build a gap. Safety cars are always tricky but I prepared myself well and knew where I could push.
GP3 Series: You are now third in the Driver Standings, what are your expectations from this point?
Marlon: The season is still very long, I know we only have 8 Rounds, but I think it’s important we take it race by race and not look too far ahead of us and remain grounded. What we have achieved so far is really good and I very happy.
GP3 Series: Congratulations, second place in Monaco, are you pleased with that?
Antonio: Yes but it doesn’t feel enough today. Yesterday we saved the new tyres for Race 2, we were the only ones in the top ten to do this. We were quick yesterday and I knew we had the pace today with the fresh tyres, starting from P2. I knew I had to try and pass Marlon at the start as I know it’s so tricky to overtake here but Marlon made a good start, he did a good race and didn’t make any mistakes. All I could do was try to stay as close and that’s what I did. Anyway after qualifying I wasn’t too happy as I knew I had the car to go faster so to finish second is ok.
GP3 Series: You mention how hard it is to overtake here, did you think you had a chance at either of the two restarts?
Antonio: Yes I was really trying to take my chances to get into the lead. I was really looking forward to the remaining laps as with my new tyres I think there is a chance I could have tried to make a move even though it’s so difficult. I was still happy though to pick up good points in this race so I can push forward to become Champion as the points at the top are tight.
GP3 Series: You mention the drivers’ standings are very close, we’ve had four different winners so far, it’s very open this year?
Antonio: Yes this year the Series is very close. We are all taking points off each other. My goal is still to be Champion and I believe I can do so this year. I am really looking forward to going to Valencia, I had a hard time there last year but I feel really good and I think we can do well there.
GP3 Series: Congratulations, your first podium in GP3! Tell me about the race.
Daniel Abt: My race wasn’t that long with the race being stopped! It was all about the start , I think my start was good but just not good enough to pass anyone. I kept third and the guys in front were a little bit quicker than me. I just had to stay focused and I am quite happy to get my first podium in GP3, especially in Monaco. It’s a very nice place to get my first rostrum. My aim is still to be finishing higher than this for future races.
GP3 Series: Did you pin your hopes on attacking Felix Da Costa at the restarts? You two seem to be permanently glued to each other every race this year, are you sick of the sight of him yet?
Daniel: Laughing, Me and Antonio were joking about this yesterday. Already every race he’s following me or I am following him. It really seems like we are always racing together. I hope for the next races we can show more potential as I think neither of us have had the start to the season that we were expecting. I thought I could do something at the restarts, but I slept a bit at the first restart. So there was no chance for me. In the end it was just one que.
GP3 Series: How would you sum up this weekend for you?
Daniel: I think Monaco is all about qualifying. My qualifying was a little bit of a mess. We saw Aaro on pole so we know my car was good enough to do it. I didn’t manage to do it so I wasn’t too happy but Race 1 was ok, I am making good starts which is positive.