spacer RE logo
spacer
GP2
spacer
pic 11/03/17 Barcelona Testing Q&A with Gustav Malja: “….I feel very good with the team.”

spacer
Following an agreement between Formula One Group and the FIA this year will see the GP2 Series renamed as the FIA Formula Two Championship and it will continue to provide the same opportunities for young driver talent to demonstrate their abilities in front of Formula 1 teams as they compete on world-renowned circuits, on a car created to ensure that the challenge for the teams is also maintained.

For Gustav Malja, Racing Engineering’s new signing for the 2017 Formula 2 Championship, this year will be a great opportunity for the young Swede to develop the form he showed in last year’s racing. His speed in the second half of his first full season in the category has shown he has the potential to win races this year and to be a challenger for the Drivers’ Championship.

How does it feel to finally get back into the car to test with Racing Engineering in Barcelona and how did you spend the last months since you last drove a Formula 2 car in Abu Dhabi?

It feels really good. It's been a long period without any Formula 2 driving and I am really looking forward to starting the season! Since we are not allowed to do any testing other than at the official tests I am keeping myself busy in this period to be ready. I have been working hard, I’ve done a lot of physical preparation, I have been practicing with karting and cars and working together with the team to prepare for the season. Now I feel ready and focused for the first tests of the year!

Having worked with Racing Engineering for three months now to prepare for the 2017 Formula 2 season, do you feel you have adapted well to the team?

Yes, I feel very good with the team. So far everything has gone well and we are working hard. It is a great atmosphere and I like the way we work and already we have got to know each other quite well. We have already come a long way in our preparations and I feel well integrated with the whole team. We feel strong and we are fully focused on the season.

The Barcelona circuit features a mix of fast and slow corners and a long straight. Do you feel comfortable testing on this track and does it favour your driving style?

I like the track, I have been quick on it before and I feel confident. It is a good test for both the driver and the car since the track has a lot of different corners, you have proper fast corners but also some slow and twisty sections and much more. It is a challenging circuit but I like that in a track!

What are your overall expectation for these three days of testing at the Circuito de Cataluña?

My overall expectation is that we continue with the process in preparing for the season in the best possible way. We are all super excited to get the season started and we feel well prepared. We will take the season step by step and now what we are fully focused on is this test. It will be amazing to push hard again and I am expecting to work hard and have a lot of fun!
pic
©GP2
pic
©GP2
pic
©GP2
Info Info Info