Written by: Goose
We’ve reached the mid point of the season everyone’s fully settled into their new team environments and are in full flow. We sat down with patoninety to discuss a very tight top 3 in Division 2
So Pato,
You’re currently third on 112 points with six races to go — only 19 points off the lead. How would you sum up your position right now?
While having the slowest car in Division 2 i think i’m plodding along okay. Would just like to be a bit more consistent.
With Troops on 131 and Jeff on 127, does this feel like a three-way title fight, or do you see it as catch-up mode?
I see it as catch up mode, out of the 7 races so far I’ve only won 1 race. Everyone can out race everyone but i don’t think I am consistent enough.
Do you approach the next six races as ‘nothing to lose’ or ‘everything to gain’?
I reckon it can be an element of both. I’m in a catch 22 in the position i’m in and i would like to obviously improve my position but at what cost could that come at. I feel i’m plodding along nicely at the minute. If i get to race 10 and i’m 20 points behind 1st then i will go for it.
How important is momentum at this stage of the season compared to pure pace?
Momentum is huge, especially with the circuits that are coming up, technical driving will come into play when Monaco comes around and it will be interesting to see how people deal with the lack of overtake areas and tight cornering.
Do you feel the pressure more chasing the leaders — or do they feel the pressure knowing you’re right there?
No pressure on my end, I didn’t even think i was 19 points behind 1st place, which means anything can change. If you put pressure on yourself to create a bigger gap then mistakes will happen.
Have you changed your mindset now that the title is a genuine possibility?
for the moment it hasn’t. If i am in within touching distance going into the last 3 races then it will change for sure.
What’s been the biggest strength of your season so far — qualifying, race pace, or consistency?
Qualifying has been my strength this season. It isn’t a big strength that you suggest but it’s a strength nonetheless.
Where do you feel you’ve left the most points on the table?
Singapore was a sore one because i didn’t change tyres, was flying all the way until the last lap and tyre wear got the best of me. If i had won that then i would be talking differently. On the flip side of that I am keeping similar finishing positions while the rest fight it out is helping.
Are you in a position where you can afford to play it safe, or do you need to start taking risks?
If there isn’t much change in terms of points until the final race weeks then you will start to see a little more aggressive racing
If the leaders make one mistake, do you feel confident you can capitalise immediately?
Competition between everyone if fierce. i think if either of the top 4 make a mistake someone will capitalise but I also think it will work in someone’s else favour week on week
Between the Troops and Jeff, who worries you more over a six-race run and why?
Jeff because he was the faster car. Running the Mercedes in this league against the Sauber and Alpine and not being ahead let alone having a bigger gap shows there is more to come from him
Is there one driver in the division that you always seem to end up racing, no matter what?
It’s close between the top 4, we can hold each other off at some point and it changes every race. I do feel Paul is closer to me than Jeff and Trooper.
How important is clean racing in a title fight this tight?
Clean racing is imperative. Race 7 was the most points I got in penalties for being over aggressive in trying to catch the top 2 and it cost me in the end up. Mistakes happen eventually and i got stung by stupidity.
Are there any tracks in the final six that particularly suit your driving style?
Brazil, Austria and Saudi Arabia. The first 2 tracks are among my favourite on the race circuit as well as Canada but unfortunately wasn’t included this season.
What’s your ideal points target across the remaining races to realistically win the title?
90-100 points in the next 6 races will secure it but it will be incredibly close if that was to happen
What would it mean to go from third to champion in just six rounds?
Being in the send slowest car in the division (just remembered the RyJones is in the Haas) I think it would be a really good achievement. Troop and Jeff drive well week in and week out so my racing from week 8 need to be perfect.
How do you switch off between races when the championship is this tight?
I wouldn’t say I switch off but I like to try gain the edge, 5 lap time trials on the next circuit the following day helps to get the muscle memory going but not post the times for scudo. Then i like to return to the same circuit the day before the race for 10 laps to pick it up again
Have you felt a momentum shift in the paddock as people start to talk about you as a title contender?
it’s the same as EAFC, if there’s chat of me being a title contender you’re off your head!
What message would you send to the drivers currently ahead of you?
Strap yourself in boys, it’s going to be tight!
Be honest — at this stage, do you believe you can win Division 2?
in a word, no.
Thanks for your time and good luck in the run in.