GP2 Series: Sam, what a fantastic race from you today. How was it from the car?Sam Bird: It was great to be in control for the whole thing. We were actually very fortunate as well: we had a big hit  at the start from behind with Ceccon. We were very lucky to be able to secure a new rear wing during the red flag. Without it, I would have DNF-ed the race. We were very, very lucky in that respect. However, once the race got underway, we had the pace from the start. The pace was never a worry so this was very good.GP2 Series: The tyre strategy was also the best one today. You chose to start on Soft tyres which obviously gave you an advantage after the second startSam: Yeah, some people thought that the Super Soft would last a bit longer. We  thought that they wouldnt and that was the case. So I was pacing myself behind Mitch. I could not real push. Then he pitted and I pushed for three or four laps to build a gap to everybody which we did. Plus, more! We got a very big gap and the race of the race was about taking it nice and steady. Even then, the team was telling me to slow down. They told me that I did not need to do this. With five laps to go I told them that I knew what I was doing. I told them they did not need to tell me about the gap anymore. It was already a  big gap. Its an amazing to be able to win my first GP2 race in Monaco. Maybe I should have done it already in the past in GP2, but it felt pretty right today.GP2 Series: Looking at tomorrow, what is your aim?Sam: I think the tyre strategy tomorrow will be interesting. I think some people will be in a better situation than me. However, I think we can compensate with the speed that we have. So well just have to wait and see. Well still be in a good position tomorrow regardless of the tyres that well use. We have new fronts and very good rears. If we can score big, great, but we scored the maximum points today that we can. Thats the main thing. We got the big points today which is always nice in Monaco.--GP2 Series: Congratulations Kevin. P2 in Monaco. How does it feel?Kevin Ceccon: Its my first GP2 podium and its two years in a row that I finish on the podium here since I finished third last year in GP3 here as well. Today, I finished in P2 in race 1. Its good. I am happy. Im also happy for the team. They work really hard and they deserve it. It was a bit strange at the start because there was a big crash and traffic at the start, but we passed the chaos in a good position. It was not easy, but we were P3 after that. The team have done a very good job with the strategy and also the pit stop because we chose to come in one lap earlier than Evans. I overtook him. That was good. I am happy for everybody. It was a good day.GP2 Series: You did have a contact with Sam at the start. Was there any damage on your car?Kevin: I damaged it a bit and his car also Fortunately, there was a red flag and we could repair the car for the second start. The damage was not so big. That was fortunate for me and for Sam really!GP2 Series: What about tomorrow?Kevin: I think we will use the rain tyres (Laughs). No, seriously, I think it will be raining tomorrow. I hope to use them! I hope to do a good race again. I will start from P7 which is a good thing. If there is another eventful start, I could do a good race no? (Laughs)--GP2 Series: Mitch, P3 today. I am sure you are a bit disappointed especially since you had done a great job at the start to take the leadMitch Evans: Exactly. Since qualifying I have been focusing on the start, getting a good launch and hopefully get in the lead. I got a really good start and manage to get the jump on Johnny and then I saw that he was in the wall and I was not sure how many cars was involved in the accident I just knew I wanted a massive lead and hoped the safety car would not be deployed or that the red flag would not have happened. But it did andI was hoping for a safety car restart after that just so that the second start would be straightforward. It happened and I stayed in P1 which was goodGP2 Series: But you were under Sams pressure soon after that It seemed that maybe starting on the Super Soft tyres was not the best strategy today?Mitch: The tyre strategy that we chose was a lot different than many others. We decided to go with the option tyres which was going to give us a better start than the prime tyres, but as soon as the race restarted I was struggling a lot for overall grip and Sam was pushing a lot behind me. He was very quick with the prime tyres. And then we I came to the pit stop, I think it was a lap too late and Kevin got me. Then I saw his crashbox until the end of the race. There was nothing I could do about it. We had a good pace behind him. We caught up to him, but its just too hard to pass around here. But the car was a lot better on the prime tyres. I think that if I had gotten past Kevin we would have had a similar pace to Sams but I think today Sam was too quick. I think second today was definitely possible so Im a little bit disappointed with having finished only third. But if you had told me before the weekend that we would be on the podium here in Monaco, I would have probably punched you in the face or something (Laughs). The past two races have been really bad, so to be on the podium in Monaco is very special. Its amazing. Ill take it!GP2 Series: What about tomorrow?Mitch: Were in a good position with the tyres because I have a brand new set of primes. A lot of the guys have used both sets of primes toady so hopefully I will be able to get some more points tomorrow and who know? Maybe I could get another podium. Well see