Zhou, Ticktum and Piastri speak out about their season’s so far as the 2021 FIA Formula 2 season reaches its midway point

The three drivers have all performed fantastically in the first half of the Formula 2 season as the trio occupy first, second and fourth in the F2 Drivers’ Standings.

Guanyu Zhou, Dan Ticktum and Oscar Piastri spoke about how they feel they’ve performed so far this season and what they must improve as they head into the second part of the Formula 2 campaign.

The Chinese driver, who lead the Championship for the first three rounds of the season, was relatively happy with his performances so far.

“The season obviously started pretty well in Bahrain, and to be honest after Baku, to be still leading [the F3 Championship], I was quite happy in a way because Monaco is not one of my strongest circuits even though it is extremely amazing to be driving there.

“I prefer a normal race track than a street circuit but after that I was quite comfortable. Also, it was good to be back on the top step again [at Silverstone]as we seem to have found some pace in qualifying to push at the front of the field. I am still in the Championship picture so that’s all I could have really asked for heading into the second half of the season.”

Carlin’s Dan Ticktum explained he is doing everything to win, but sometimes, just needs to hold back a little to score points consistently.

“I think it has been a bit up and down but when has my career not been up and down. This season has not been an exception and I think I have been a little bit too hungry to win. Sometimes I just need to be a little bit more patient but I just want to win and it is as simple as that.

“I just need to round of the edges ever so slightly and look ahead to a very strong second half of the season. We’ve got a pretty strong package at every single race circuit as we are there or there abouts and I just need to continue scoring good points and be consistent.

“I am definitely aiming for top three in the Championship. Last year, I had a very strong second half of the season and if I can replicate that, hold back a little bit and be consistent then I am positive I will end the season on a high but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Rookie Oscar Piastri wasn’t expecting to be at the top of the Championship and it has been a real positive surprise for him.

“It has been a very good first half of the season. Going into the year as a rookie, I really didn’t know what to expect. We were pretty quick in Bahrain but I collided with Dan [Ticktum]. Then in Monaco, we had good pace but achieved the maximum we could there.

“Baku was a similar story with a good qualifying and was unlucky in the first race to be taken out which compromised my Saturday a lot. Silverstone was another strong weekend apart from the slight struggles in the third race, but overall, it has been a very positive start to the season from my side.”

The second half of the F2 season commences in just over four weeks time. Monza will be the venue and the aforementioned trio will look to minimise mistakes and score consistent points as they continue to fight at the top of the Drivers’ Standings.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt