Clément Novalak: “MP Motorsport can take me to the next level”

Clément, you are officially moving up F2 with MP Motorsport. We imagine you happy...

Ah, it’s clear! I'm super happy. But I'm even more happy to tell myself that I'll have the last two rounds of the season in Jeddah and Abu Dhabi to start getting used to things with the team. Usually, drivers who prepare for their arrival in F2 by competing at the end of the season do not necessarily have the chance to do so with the team they join the following year. I consider myself lucky from that point of view. It’s going to be a great opportunity to work with MP Motorsport engineers, and prepare for the future. The adaptation period next year will be less thanks to this. It will also allow us to know what to work on to become better as a team. 

Why did you choose MP Motorsport, with whom you have never ridden before?

Because I think it's a team that can help me take a step forward. Even if it is very Dutch, it is also made up of quite a few Italians and former Prema engineers. I feel ready to move up to F2. I must also say that MP surprised me by F3. Last year, they took a big step forward with two very, very good drivers (Victor Martins and Caio Collet). They walked on all the tracks and were very consistent. They are on an upward dynamic, and if that is the case in F3, there is no reason why it should not be the case in F2. I hope to be associated with a second year driver, so that we can move forward even easier. I don't know if I'll do one or two seasons in F2, but it seems like a great place for a first season, with all the learning that requires. When you arrive in a top team, it's so solid that the focus is on you as a driver. There we will work together and push to improve. It's all I love.

What are the objectives for the end of the season and for 2022?

For the end of the year, I will arrive serene, with zero stress. If I manage to get a result, it will be great. If there's a little chaos, I might be able to get through it, but I don't expect any of that. I would be facing drivers who have done at least 7 or 8 weekends in the car. I'm here to learn, and there are a lot of things to understand, like pit stops and tire strategies. As for 2022, I haven't had time to set any goals yet. It will come based on pre-season testing.

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