F2 leader Drugovich on his title chances: 'Yes, I'm the favourite'

GPblog spoke exclusively with the Brazilian, who has set high goals for this year.

Can you describe the feeling while passing the finish line as the winner?
“It is something quite special. Just looking around and see people watching from their home. It’s already crazy to think: ‘Okay, I am racing in one of the most special cities on the planet’. To win there is something crazy. Obviously, it is Formula 2. My goal is to win there in F1 one day. But it is already something crazy. I would not have imagined that some time ago.”
 
You also increased your lead in the Championship. Are you surprised about your current form?
“Yes, a little bit. I expected to be fast and maybe fighting for the championship. But this is better than what I expected. So, I am extremely happy with that.”
 
What makes you such a good driver this year?
“First of all, experience counts a lot. But I also focused a lot on the mental side. To be very strong mentally and to be consistent. I missed a lot of opportunities last year for not being consistent. Now I just try to keep scoring the whole time. When you create the baseline and be consistent, then you can move up all the time.”
 
MP Motorsport was always a team in the midfield. What happened to the team?
“I brought some experience to the team as well. But also, they were improving consistently for the last two years. We made tiny steps everywhere. But if you put everything together, it makes a big step.”
 
Tell me, you are the favourite for the championship?
“It’s really early in the championship. We are not even halfway through the championship. But for now, I would say yes.”
 
Becoming champion is your goal this year?
“Yeah, I just want to be the champion. That will be the perfect condition if I want to have a chance in F1.”
 
You are one of the few Brazilian drivers in a top racing series at the moment. Where are the Brazilians?
“I think, probably, if you start talking about money in Brazil, it is not great. The currency, if you change to euros, is not amazing. The biggest problem is that the talents in Brazil are not even able to race in Brazil. They can’t race with the money they have there. Also, the level of categories is a little bit lower now. If you have more people (competing), it is always a bigger challenge. That raises the level.”
 
Are kids missing examples like Senna or Massa?
“Oh there are enough talents. Brazil has been a country that provided us with many good drivers. For now, there is this special time where it is not happening. You can say it is a coincidence. Every country has periods that no drivers come through. In a few years, we will have many good Brazilian drivers around.”
 
Are you very popular in Brazil, do people know you?
“Yeah, yeah. In Brazil, I became a little bit more popular now. Quite popular. But I am not too focused on that. I am just completely focused on my job because I am not even close to finish. I am still in F2 and have to get to F1.”