Interview
Lloyd learning from her mistakes after Lap 1 crash cost her podium challenge in Miami
Ella Lloyd endured a topsy-turvy time in Miami, but the McLaren driver reckons she’ll be better off for it and that she has race-winning potential for Round 4.
One of 11 drivers making their first appearance at the Miami International Autodrome, Lloyd enjoyed a strong start with two P4 finishes in each Free Practice.
It looked unlikely she’d be able to continue that in Qualifying, with the Rodin Motorsport team situated at the tail-end of the pit lane in what effectively became a one-lap shootout. Yet the Briton pulled through, earning a top-four time, only 0.076s off polesitter Chambers.
But her fortunes changed after Race 1 after she misjudged her braking point into the opening corner from fifth on the grid. Making contact with Rafaela Ferreira, Lloyd was forced to retire and was handed a three-place grid penalty for Race 2.
Reflecting on the weekend’s events, Lloyd said: “The first two Practices we were on it pretty quick. We were consistently fast and we had good pace. Then in Qualifying, it was one lap basically (that) we had. A bit unfortunate that we were at the back of the pit lane.
“I probably had the worst of it because I dropped back off the pack because I’d could see everyone fighting in front for track position and I thought ‘if I back off, at least I can try and get a clean lap with no traffic’. A little bit on the backfoot from where we were in the pit lane, but a decent Qualifying. Qualified in P4 and it was under a tenth off pole, so it was close.
“Race 1 was a bit unfortunate, a mistake from my side but you’ve got to learn from it. Unfortunate about Race 2 getting postponed, but it is what it is. The track conditions were nowhere near ready to race on. Hopefully, Montreal can be a better race weekend.”
Her trip to Canada offers up a similar challenge of an unfamiliar track, the crucial difference being that all the drivers are in the same boat next time.
Busy with British F4 appearances in Snetterton and Thruxton over the break, Lloyd is confident that by keeping her racing skills sharp, an F1 ACADEMY podium could soon be on the cards.
“We’ve got limited track time again, so I think we’ll get on it pretty fast like we did here. Then, just minimise mistakes really from my side and be consistent, that’s what I need to take forward into Montreal.
She added: “We’ve got testing as well for British F4, so all the time in the car is going to benefit me and hopefully, we can hit the ground running in Montreal.
“I think we can aim for pole and race wins. No one’s been there (before), so it’s going to be a very level playing field (…) I don’t mind the rain. It can rain, I’m from the UK — we’re used to it!”