Pepe Martí delivered a stellar performance at the Formula 2 Sprint Race in Abu Dhabi, claiming his first win in the series with a commanding drive. The 19-year-old Spanish driver displayed composure and precision throughout the race, starting with a brilliant launch from P4 and holding off a strong challenge from championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto to secure the chequered flag.
As the lights went out, Martí got a lightning-fast start, propelling himself into the lead by Turn 2 after an aggressive yet calculated move on Amaury Cordeel and Joshua Durksen. Once in the lead, Martí maintained control despite intense pressure from Bortoleto, who was chasing vital championship points.
The race wasn’t without its troubles further back, with collisions, penalties, and tyre degradation affecting several competitors. Meanwhile, Martí remained focused, navigating these challenges to clinch a maiden victory in his rookie Formula 2 season.
Pepe Martí reflects on his first win in Abu Dhabi
Speaking after the race, Martí shared his thoughts on what he described as one of the toughest races of the season, saying, “It feels amazing, we had a great race.”
“I think it was one of the toughest of the year, in the sense that it was flat out the whole time, being quite smart with how I drove but pretty much flat out.”
“The tyres were dropping as well, and I had to be really smart with my driving and having a certain Brazilian who is very fast for most of the race, didn’t really help. It was a nice race and a great feeling.”
The race start was pivotal to Martí’s success, and he detailed the crucial moments that allowed him to move from fourth on the grid to the lead. He explained, “I dropped the clutch, and I was instantly side by side with Duerksen.”
“He tried to defend to the left, but there was not much he could do. I was alongside with Cordeel, I had to send it quite a bit on the entry. But it was good enough to be on the front by T2.”
“I was more than safe”
Despite his strong start, Martí acknowledged the pressure of having Bortoleto chasing him down for the majority of the race. “You have the gap that’s coming down”, he explained.
“At some point it stabilised, and it comes down a bit again and it stabilises again. It was a wondering gap the whole time. I knew if I kept driving the way I was driving, when he was closing a tenth a lap, I was more than safe. I was just keeping my head down and trying to do the best I could do with what I had.”
Martí’s maiden win in Formula 2 marks a significant milestone in his career and is a testament to his talent and determination. The young Spaniard has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, and this victory solidifies his potential as a future star in motorsport.
