Confident Arjun looking to move up the ladder

Motorsport

In what could possibly be described as a landmark four days in his young career, Arjun Maini, after being named the Haas F1 team’s development driver on May 11, went on to become the first Indian to win a GP 3 race on May 14 in Barcelona.

After the success the Bengaluru lad is looking forward to the next race at the Red Bull Ring in Austria from July 7-9.

“Everything has been pretty normal after my GP 3 success. Of course it was confidence boosting but my training continues in the same way and I just try to be better than the previous day.

“We have Austria next up and I’m really looking forward to it. The team has been getting along really well and we’re going from strength to strength and I’m excited to be racing after a long break,” he added. With Haas firmly focussed on doing well in the GP 3, Arjun concurred that that is his immediate priority too.

“While, Formula 1 maybe a possibility in the future, theteam (Haas) wants me to concentrate on GP 3 and that is exactly what I will be doing.

“We are in the top three right now and will look to consolidate that position. “This year’s car is definitely a step-up. It’s fast (400 BHP) and has a lot of downforce. That said, once you’re used to it, it’s just like any other car and you’re going out there to win.

“The Drag Reduction Sysytem (DRS) is something we started using in Barcelona and it could work as an advantage or disadvantage depending on how you strategise and then use it,” said the 19-year-old.

While Arjun hasn’t really been able to have a word with Haas’ first team drivers -- Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen -- he is positive that he will be able to pick their brains sooner rather than later.

“I did speak to Magnussen for a brief period but that was it. They do get really busy over the race weekend so it’s difficult but I hope to have a longer chat with them soon,” he signed off.