‘It just hits different’ – Home favourite Martí on winning in Barcelona and his goals for the weekend

Josep María Martí is preparing not only for Round 6 of the 2024 Formula 2 season but also for his home race weekend in Barcelona and the Campos Racing driver cannot wait to get going.

The Spaniard made a strong start to his rookie campaign in F2 when he secured a double podium result at the season-opener in Sakhir.

While his returns have somewhat dropped off since then Martí is pleased to be coming to Barcelona with some form giving the strong pace he showed last time out in Monte Carlo.

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“Well obviously I’m really excited,” said Martí speaking about the upcoming weekend. “It's the one time we get to race at home throughout the whole year and coming from Monaco where I felt like I had good pace, although the results weren't what we were expecting, I'm really looking forward to it. We had a very positive test as well, so I am expected to get going at my home Grand Prix.”

Speaking further about the experience of racing at home, Martí said: “It's crazy. Last year I won the race, so coming out of the track I had a lot of people recognise me, going into the track I don't think so, but coming out they did.

“This year for sure is certainly going to be different to what I am used to. We also have a really large fan event inside Barcelona driving the car on Wednesday so that is going to be incredibly exciting, super looking forward to that.

“But just the whole weekend, the whole thing is so special, you have so many events with the people, my family is going to be there, a lot of fans will be there, Formula 1 in Barcelona and Spain has grown so it's definitely a really big attraction for fans.

“There is also a lot of support for F2 and F3, so it's just different to anything else, it's home so it just hits different.”

The 19-year-old won last year’s Formula 3 Feature Race from Pole Position, crossing the line over four seconds clear of his nearest rival.

It’s a weekend he looks back on fondly especially when he takes into account the difficulties he had during his rookie F3 campaign in 2022.

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“It was crazy,” he reflected. “A Grand Chelem, Pole, victory, fastest lap, led all laps, everything, it was just a perfect Sunday and perfect Friday as well. I was Pole Position by quite a bit, so it was really encouraging for the rest of the season, it is a day I hold dearly.

“I think it was an explosion of a lot of emotions coming out, I suffered quite a bit in 2022 in F3 and 2023 everything started happening and I felt like I was driving very well, and we went to Barcelona, and everything worked out.

“It was just crazy being on top of the podium listening to the anthem, it was one of the greatest honours of my life.”

For Martí he is hopeful that this weekend will again prove to be a turning point. He has had a tough few rounds having not scored a point since Jeddah but, given the pace he knows he has within himself and the car, familiar terrain in Barcelona could be exactly what he needs.

“I certainly hope it can be a turning point in the season,” admitted Martí. “So that I can try to rebuild on that confidence, on that pace that we know we have, not just in me but in the car, because my teammate has been doing pretty well lately, he had two wins in the last three events.

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“That also brings a lot of confidence into me and maybe I have to be more realistic, maybe aim for different things. As of right now I feel I do have the pace and the potential to win races but maybe now I have to focus more on myself, try to get consistently into the points, try to finish in the top seven, top six every weekend and once we are there try to look further up.

“Certainly, for this weekend the challenge is to try to aim for big points, try to do a good Qualifying which is what has been holding us back lately and that should get us on the right track for the rest of the season.”