Martins looking for feature race victory after ‘really good’ pace on Saturday

Victor Martins climbed emphatically from sixth on the grid to second place over the course of the first 12 laps of Saturday’s sprint race. Whilst he was unable to challenge Frederik Vesti for victory, he proved that he and ART Grand Prix are strong contenders for first place on Sunday. Martins spoke to Feeder Series and selected media after the sprint race.

By George Brabner

2023 FIA F2 Teams’ Championship leaders ART Grand Prix looked to have the measure over the rest of the field in Saturday’s sprint race.

Alpine Academy driver Martins lost ground on lap one after getting tangled up in a first-corner skirmish kickstarted by his teammate, but the Frenchman quickly found his rhythm. By lap 12, he had moved up to second and recorded the fastest lap of the race.

A safety car restart on lap 18 put Martins on the tail of race-leader Vesti for the closing stages of the contest, although the Frenchman couldn’t get within striking distance.

In light of an impressive performance, Martins does not believe that an unsuccessful chase signified a cause for concern ahead of Sunday’s feature race.

“I feel that the last safety car broke a bit the momentum and the rhythm, or at least mine, and then after, until the end of the race, I was just trying to push. I was trying to do some lines, some things to see for tomorrow and also if I could make a difference into Parabolica or different corners,” Martins told Feeder Series.

“I don’t believe that the pace was less good in the end. I was just trying to do different things compared to the beginning. In terms of tyre degradation, there is not things to look at. We just need to analyse a few things, be ready for tomorrow and I will push like today.”

Martins and ART aim to be “fighting for a podium” in Sunday’s feature race | Credit: Gabriel Bouys / AFP

Meanwhile, Martins’ ART teammate Theo Pourchaire, who starts on pole for Sunday’s contest, made up six positions in the sprint race, limiting Vesti’s damage to his championship lead and leaving the team confident ahead of the feature race.

“If my start is good, yes [I can win the race],” Martins said. “I think the only thing I can improve [is] maybe a few things again for some corners to be even quicker, but I would say with a good start here, we will be fighting for a podium or maybe more.”

With Martins starting fifth for the feature race, Vesti will have to overcome both ART cars if he wants to edge closer to the championship lead.

Header photo credit: Alpine Cars