March 31, 2011
Published on tags: Superleague
The second race of the season, an exciting Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, has just finished and the top three drivers are in for the traditional post-race Press Conference. Today, sitting with Adam Smith are race winner Lee Morris (ENG, Draig Racing), second-placed Joe Consiglio (MLT, Nordsjoen Racing) and third placed Jason Muscat (MLT, Red Archer VRT).

Q. Second race of the year in Abu Dhabi, and Lee Morris sits here with his second win of the season. Lee, did you expect to be on the top step today?

LM. Without sounding arrogant, yes. I did expect to win, we had a good car all week, and me and Ryan Walker really put in the laps to learn the car for a two-stop race. Our strategy worked perfectly, we saw no advantage to a three-stop over two stops and it worked perfectly!

Q. You say it worked perfectly, but you won by a very narrow margin from Joe. Are you confident that you can continue winning under pressure?

LM. Indeed, I don't think there will be a bigger pressure situation than today. That was ultimate pressure and fantastic racing at top level, a big thanks to Joe for the clean racing too!

Q. Speaking of clean racing, you had a grid penalty today. Did this launch any doubts in your mind pre-race?

LM. No, certainly not, it fired me up even more to win and, considering I had six cars to pass before I got to Joe, I am really really pleased with my race and planning. It's all credit to the team, and especially Ryan Walker, who worked really closley with me all week! My aim was to finish 1st... I exist to win!

Q. Thank you Lee. Joe, you came over the line second today. How important was this second place to you?

JC. It's good to get some points on the board after Melbourne. Idrove a decent race today but Lee just had a little too much pace for me when it mattered.

Q. You say Lee had more pace, how confident are you that the car can provide you with race wins?

JC. We'll see, I think the car is pretty good. We're always looking to develop and we should have some upgrades by the time we get back to Europe. I think, in the right circumstances, race wins are definitely possible, we were on the pace in Melbourne and today I finished 0.5 seconds behind Lee so the signs are positive.

Q. And to finish off, are you confident that you're able to create a strategy that compliments the new qualifying format?

JC. Yes and no really. I've gone for 3 stop strategies so far, it was working for me in Melbourne but here it didnt quite work how I hoped. I thought Lee would be more held up after starting in 6th, but to give Lee his credit he made his way through the pack really quickly and then had the pace to make his 2 stop work.

Q. Thanks Joe. And finally, Jason finished third, First podium of the year Jason, did you expect this after Melbourne?

JM. Yes, I was expecting to be in the top 5 again, maybe not a podium though.

Q. Now you've shown that you have to pace to take podium slots, are you looking to keep the pressure on the likes on Consiglio and Morris?

JM. I don't think I can put any pressure on them at all, they are too fast for my team. But I will be there to take any opportunities they might leave. My aim is to have some consistent top 5 finishes with my team mate to try and get the team constructors championship maybe, but it's too early to say.

Q. Thank you for chatting with us guys, and see you in Suzuka next week!