“We’re going to improve” says Marcus Armstrong after debut FIA F2 podium
Kiwi Marcus Armstrong has stormed into the world of FIA Formula 2 with a weekend he can be proud of—finishing second in the Feature Race and running third in the Sprint Race before a mechanical issue put him out of contention.
Marcus Armstrong celebrates on the podium for the FIA Formula 2 Feature Race in Austria. (Image: Supplied/Formula Motorsport Limited)
The Ferrari Academy Driver is not one to rest on his laurels, reflecting generously on his debut weekend in Austria.
On a challenging qualifying session, which saw the 19 year-old down in 13th position, he said “we had the speed, our potential was front row, but unfortunately qualifying just didn’t go our way.”
Saturday’s feature race was a different story, with the Christchurch native pitting early, out of sync with the rest of the field, and holding firm on aging tyres to claim second place.
Armstrong said “it was a good feeling to finally cross the finish line.”
Marcus Armstrong makes his FIA Formula 2 debut at the Red Bull Ring. (Image: Supplied/Formula Motorsport Limited)
“The last stint definitely was not the easiest for a few reasons. Obviously, we boxed quite early to try and get out of the traffic. Yesterday we qualified out of position and we did predict that we'd have a pace advantage on those around us. We took a bit of a risk and it paid off in terms of strategy.”
Sunday’s Sprint Race didn’t go the New Zealander’s way, retiring from third with technical gremlins, but he was still confident of more success to come.
Marcus Armstrong in the Austrian hills during the opening round of the 2020 FIA Formula 2 Championship. (Image: Supplied/Formula Motorsport Limited)
“A big thank you to ART,” said Armstrong. “It's a good way to start because obviously we had very limited testing time this year in Bahrain, so every single lap that we do, the rookies, we're going to improve.”
“It's a good way to start the season for sure.”
Same time, same place, this weekend yeah? #AustrianGP[2.0] 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/lIRml6rLM3July 6, 2020
