How did it feel to win your first Grand Prix? Can you describe the emotions you experienced?
Winning my first Grand Prix was an indescribable emotion. It was a moment of pure joy, made even more special by the fact that it came on a weekend when I least expected it. I hadn’t done any testing at Mugello, so the surprise and satisfaction were immense. I felt incredibly happy and proud, an experience I will never forget.
What were the keys to your success in Race 1?
The key to success in Race 1 was definitely my very fast race pace. I was very focused and determined to give my all. A crucial moment was the restart after the safety car when the gap I had on the second was reset. At that moment, I knew I had to stay calm and manage the situation as best as I could. I took a deep breath, focused, and managed to re-establish my lead. It was a moment of great pressure but also great satisfaction when I saw that my strategy was working. Every lap I completed gave me more confidence, and in the end, I brought home the victory.
How did you prepare mentally and physically for this race?
My mental and physical preparation follows a precise routine that I perform before each race. I start with a bit of physical warm-up to activate my muscles and prepare myself as best as possible. I focus a lot on breathing to calm the mind and keep concentration high. After warming up, I spend time with my coach, Luciano, to discuss strategy and receive his valuable advice. Luciano has incredible experience, and his words always give me a great boost.
Did you encounter any difficulties during the race? If so, how did you overcome them?
Fortunately, in this race, I did not encounter any particular difficulties. Everything went for the best, and I managed to maintain control from start to finish. Every now and then, there are days when everything goes smoothly, and this was one of those days. However, I knew that I should not let my guard down. Every lap requires maximum concentration, and I tried to stay focused on every detail to avoid mistakes. Communication with my team was perfect, which helped me manage every phase of the race with peace and security.
Can you tell us about your strategy during Race 1 that led to victory?
The strategy was simple but effective: to get ahead and impose my pace to pull away from second place. At the start of the race, I tried to take the lead immediately and create a good gap. I had managed to build a significant lead, but the safety car nullified everything. However, at the restart, I managed to maintain a very fast pace, which allowed me to rebuild the gap and cross the finish line in first position. It was a perfect race from a strategic point of view.
What did you think when you realized you had won the race?
When I realized I had won, I was overwhelmed with happiness. It took a while to metabolize the victory; I almost couldn’t believe it. I spent the rest of the day with a smile on my face, sharing my joy with the team and my family. It was a dream come true, and the feeling of reaching this milestone was incredible.
How did your team and your family react to the victory?
My team was over the moon, but the most special reaction was from my family. My mom and sisters were there to see me race for the first time since I started racing cars, and being able to give them this victory was something wonderful. Seeing their joy and pride made me even happier. Their support is fundamental for me, and knowing that they were there to share that moment made everything even more special.
What were the most memorable moments of the race for you?
The first laps were incredible. Thanks to some spectacular overtaking, I managed to take the lead in the race. Those moments were unforgettable and marked the turning point of the race. Each overtaking was a surge of energy, and the awareness of having done everything perfectly gave me a great boost. Those first laps were decisive and I will always remember them as the most exciting moments of the race.
How did you celebrate this victory?
I celebrated by taking many photos with the trophies, along with my family and team. It was a moment of great joy, surrounded by the people who support and sustain me every day. It was really nice to be able to celebrate with all the people who contributed to this success.