Pepe Martí stormed to victory in the Formula 2 sprint race at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 12, 2025, showcasing a masterclass in racing from 11th on the grid. This win marks his second career victory in F2, following his triumph in Abu Dhabi last year.
The race commenced at 16:15h Spanish time, with Joshua Duerksen starting from pole position. However, the start was marred by drama as Victor Martins, after being pushed off track by Alex Dunne, crashed into the barriers, resulting in a broken front wing. This incident forced him to pit and rejoin the race at the back of the field.
Shortly after, Sebastián Montoya, son of former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, was spun around by Amaury Cordeel, prompting the deployment of the safety car. Cordeel was later handed a 10-second penalty for his role in the incident.
As the race resumed, Duerksen initially held his lead but faced fierce competition from the likes of Richard Verschoor and Pepe Martí, who was making significant moves up the order. Martí, demonstrating his aggressive racing style, moved up to sixth place by the end of the first lap, quickly gaining ground on his competitors.
On lap 10, Verschoor overtook Rafael Villagomez, and a lap later, Dino Beganovic took the lead from Duerksen, who later reported on the radio that he had intentionally lost the lead to mount a stronger attack later in the race. However, as the laps wore on, Duerksen struggled with tire degradation, which would prove crucial in the closing stages.
The race took another turn on lap 16 when Max Esterson's car stopped on track, leading to another safety car period. This allowed drivers to regroup and strategize for the final laps.
As the race resumed on lap 19, the tension was palpable. Duerksen briefly regained the lead, but Martí was right on his tail, ready to capitalize on any mistakes. In a thrilling sequence, Martí managed to pass both Duerksen and Verschoor in the final laps, showcasing his skill and composure under pressure.
On the final lap, Martí took the lead decisively, utilizing the DRS to overtake Duerksen on the main straight. He finished the race in a time of 46 minutes 24.663 seconds, 0.922 seconds ahead of Verschoor, who crossed the line in second place, with Duerksen settling for third.
This victory not only adds to Martí's burgeoning reputation but also positions him strongly in the championship standings, where he currently sits third with 11 points. Duerksen leads the standings with 16 points, followed closely by Verschoor at 13 points.
Martí's performance was a testament to his growth as a driver, having previously faced challenges in his first year in F2. Celebrated by fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who witnessed the race from the sidelines, Martí's victory is seen as a significant step towards his aspirations in Formula 1.
In a post-race interview, Martí expressed his excitement and determination, stating, "If this year goes as I hope, I aim to compete against Berman, Hadjar, and Antonelli in F1." His ambitious outlook reflects his readiness to take on the challenges ahead as he continues to develop within the Red Bull Racing Academy.
As the F2 series progresses, all eyes will be on Martí to see if he can replicate this success in the upcoming feature race and solidify his position as a top contender for the championship.
The results of the Bahrain sprint race are as follows:
1. Pepe Martí (Campos Racing) - 46'24.663
2. Richard Verschoor (MP Motorsport) - +0.922
3. Joshua Duerksen (AIX Racing) - +1.537
4. Dino Beganovic (Hitech) - +1.870
5. Oliver Goethe (MP Motorsport) - +1.984
6. Arvid Lindblad (Campos Racing) - +3.028
7. Rafael Villagomez (Van Amersfoort Racing) - +3.134
8. Gabriele Mini (Prema Racing) - +3.321
9. Leonardo Fornaroli (Invicta Racing) - +3.972
10. Ritomo Miyata (ART Grand Prix) - +4.205
With this thrilling victory, Pepe Martí has not only made a mark in the F2 series but has also set the stage for an exciting season ahead.
