Interview
Martí revels in ‘great’ Sakhir weekend as he targets Sunday victories going forward
Josep Maria Martí was happy to leave Sakhir with a Sprint Race victory and fourth place in the Feature, even if he was slightly disappointed to miss out on a podium on Sunday.
The Campos Racing driver qualified P11 on Friday, missing out a place in the top 10 by just 0.029s. However, he put that disappointed to the side with a tremendous performance to win on Saturday, thanks to a last lap overtake on Joshua Duerksen.
The 19-year-old continued that top form in the Feature and was battling for a place on the podium, once again on the last lap, this time with Leonardo Fornaroli.
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However, he was forced to settle for P4, and while he was frustrated not to earn a second trophy of the weekend, Martí was taking the positives.
“Solid results,” said Martí after the Feature Race. “I think on Saturday we were quickest or on par with the quickest, and today we just didn't really bring what we needed to challenge Alex Dunne and Luke Browning.
“I thought Leo was quite aggressive on the last lap, but I mean you're fighting for a podium, so I get it. It was a bit on the limit, but nothing I wasn't expecting.
“To be honest, a bit disappointed, I should have got that third place, but all in all it's a great weekend, 22 points in the bag and sights set on Jeddah.”
Along with the positive results, Martí was pleased that he and Campos were able to show their performance levels, although he already has his eyes on where he can improve.
“We knew we were quick in Australia,” he said. “We went through the field, but we sort of knew that we could struggle a bit, depending on the tyre compound and the conditions here in Bahrain. But we were also confident that we had good pace, so a bit of a mix.
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“We've definitely made a step forward, and we are definitely competitive, but at the same time we really have to get our stuff together in Qualifying, especially myself.
“Driving-wise, I don't think the car is bad, I just need to pick up the pace a bit on the last lap in Qualifying. Once we do that, we can definitely fight for the wins no matter the day.”
Looking back on the weekend though, a second Formula 2 Sprint Race victory was the highlight of his three days in Sakhir. Martí says emotions had been “sky high” for him, his family and the team after his win.
“The race in itself was packed with so much emotion, so much adrenaline, and the release of emotion going through the finish line on the last lap overtake was great,” said Martí. “I was in P4 with two laps to go, P6 with four laps to go, it was an absolute mess of a race.
“Overall, it was great to get a win, I think the team were also very happy. I think we are all very happy today. I was talking with my family and friends and everyone this morning, saying I'll walk away very happy with a top five in the Feature Race.
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“Obviously now I am disappointed because we could have got that silverware, but at the same time I am very happy because target achieved. I knew that if there wasn't a Safety Car or anything different, today was going to be challenging, especially on the tyres.
“I think we managed it pretty well. I had a great start, took some risks in T4 going four-wide, but it was quite calculated, I knew I would make it through, so very happy with the P4.”
Martí, and the rest of the paddock, are set to make their way to Jeddah for Round 3 and for the second event in back-to-back race weekends. The Spaniard is feeling confident about their chances.
“Absolutely,” said Martí on whether he feels good about the upcoming rounds. “I think we've got the pace, we've proved it this weekend, and the same time I am moving forward.
“I think the team, I think Arvid (Lindblad) also did a very good race today if I am not mistaken, so it shows that the car is there. It shows that if we do a good strategy, and we have a good qualifying, we definitely have the car to be fighting up there.
“It's just a matter of putting it together on the weekend, and we will be fighting for the Sunday wins, not just the Saturday wins.”