Confident Martins eyeing battle for the top positions at Monza

A refreshed Victor Martins is delighted to be getting back into the car at Monza after the summer break, with the ART Grand Prix driver happy to be returning to a venue that holds some special memories.

The Frenchman won the 2022 Formula 3 title at the Temple of Speed, although his 2023 weekend did not go to plan. A DRS issue in the Feature Race caused him to first drop out of podium contention before he was forced to retire.

But with all that in mind, the Frenchman cannot wait to hit the ground running in 2024 once more.

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“I am excited to be back racing, it has been like four weeks that we haven't raced,” started Martins. “Of course it's good to rest a bit, refresh, see your family and friends but you know it's always good to come back to what you love the most.

“It's Monza, I have had some good performances here, of course I have some really good memories, getting the F3 Championship title and then last year F2 I was going super good until I got an issue with the DRS and could not fight for the win.

“But it has always been a really nice weekend, a lot of French people coming and the track itself brings some good overtakes and challenges.”

For both team and driver, 2024 did not get off to a great start with Martins scoring points in just three of the opening eight races.

But lately their form has improved, as he qualified on the front row at Monte Carlo and Silverstone. He also won the Barcelona Sprint and finished second in both Budapest races.

“For sure it's a really nice feeling,” said Martins of his and ART’s return to form. “When you feel you are struggling it's always hard to keep your head up and go for it again.

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“But I would say working a lot with the team, analysing things in detail has brought us back to the front of the field which is nice. In F2 it is always about confidence, you do a good weekend, then you come into the next one with more confidence and then you feel better. You know you have the car, and then you can deliver within yourself.

“So, I would say we have found a way to work around the car for sure and we have seen results. I head into the weekend with a lot of confidence knowing that I will master the track and I will have the car to perform.

“Obviously when I look at it, I am really happy with where we are now because it is always tricky to be struggling, being far away while you were expecting to the fight for the title. So, if I could live my life again, I would love to go back early in the season, but we just need to surf the wave now which is positive and go for it.”

He is confident that they can continue their upward trajectory at a slightly modified Monza circuit. With the tarmac resurfaced in parts and some corners altered, Martins believes getting up to speed in Practice will be critical, especially at a track where he knows he is quick.

“The track layout that has changed a bit,” continued Martins. “With a few curbs changed and the tarmac also changed, I think there is a lot less roughness for the tyres.

“It was a lot less demanding, maybe no deg, before there was no deg so maybe the approach is a bit different. So, for sure from Practice, we need to be on top of it. I need to be really on it with my driving, be on the limit of the car, and giving the right feedback to the team to prepare for quali.

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“Anything can happen here, so being prepared for anything, no traffic, track position and delivering the lap. Last year I would have done pole if I didn't make a small mistake in the chicane so just to change some things in Quali.”

As for his hopes heading into the weekend, Martins added: “I know I will have the same performance that I had last year with what we have shown for the last three rounds.

“We have been in the top three of every session in the last three rounds, so I am really positive about getting the car to do it this weekend. I think it's a good way to start the last four rounds and we will have a lot of fun.”