GP3 Series: Congratulations Tio, your first win and in such a dramatic way with the title fight on. How do you feel?
Tio Ellinas: "This year we have had some bad moments, three or four times we have had problems with the car which didn't help us to make the right results as we weren't getting enough track time due to the issues we had. I am new this year so I have had to make everything work on my own, as my teammates have struggled a bit so I have tried to lead the team. I have helped with the data with my team and even with fixing my car. This is the perfect way to end the championship."
GP3 Series: How hard was the fight between you and Abt, especially with him fighting for the title, knowing only a win would do?
Ellinas: "I really wanted this win, no matter what. I knew he was fighting for the championship but I was just really agressive and finally we win our first race of the year."
GP3 Series: You said yesterday you believe you could have won if it hadn't have been for yellow flags, could this have a been a double victory for you here in Monza?
Ellinas: "I would have liked to have won both races and I was really going for it on the last corner yesterday and I had to back off because of a yellow flag. It was a shame my teammate went out, he was a but unlucky but its been a really nice way to end the season. I really enjoyed today and I will celebrate tonight that's for sure!"
GP3 Series: It has been a crazy weekend, one moment you were on course to be Champion and not the next - talk us through the race today?
Daniel Abt: "The weekend started perfectly for me yesterday, of course I needed to have that luck and the others had bad luck. Today I had to win and Evans not to score. I heard on the radio that was Evans was out and I knew that was my chance. Ellinas was really quick and I really struggled with my tyres in the last three to four laps. I tried to defend him but I couldn't. In the end I miss out on the championship by two points. Evans also had bad luck so in the end I think I have to see a positive from today. Fourth to second in the standings, I nearly won the championship, I have been the best rookie. I have shown what I can do. Life goes on, maybe it takes one or two hours to let it settle in and I will realise there has been many positives from this weekend.
GP3 Series: You said you were struggling with the tyres today, what were the reasons for that?
Abt: "Yesterday I had new tyres so today I was strugging with my front tyres and I was locking up a few times. It was really tought to defend from Evans as I couldn't break as late as him. On the last lap I was behind him and I knew I had to pull out something special but with the understeer I had, I almost went off and I was unable to do it."
GP3 Series: How hard was it to race against Ellinas when you knew you couldn't risk any damage or a crash whilst fighting for the title?
Abt: "It was really hard. I know how Tio is, he drives quite aggressive and I knew how much he would want the victory. I knew I had to stay cool but overall we raced fair and it was clean. He did his job and I couldn't him off."
GP3 Series: Congratulations Giovanni, your first podium and what a place to do it, in Italy!
Giovanni Venturini: "My home race and my first podium it's fantastic! Race 1 yesterday was incredible as everyone was overtaking and I finish P8 so I started from reverse pole. I could have made a better start today but Abt was very quick behind me in the first few laps and I couldn't stop him passing me. He over took me like I was a junior driver. The car was wonderful to drive today. It was like a film as I waa watching Abt and Ellinas fighting in front of me and I was hoping they would crash so I could win, he laughs. I knew Abt was fighting for the championship and on the last lap I tried to pass him but it wasn't to be. But anyway, it's a rostrum for me in Italy which is great at the last race of the year."
GP3 Series: You joined GP3 later in the year but you have had many strong points finishes and now today a podium, you must be pleased with your performance in such a short space of time?
Venturini: "I think if I had started the season from the beginning, I really believe I could have been fighting for the title but I very happy with how the season ended and I hope to race again in GP3 Series."