Pepe Marti has all the backing to succeed in Formula 2, but unfortunately, 2024 has proven to be a challenging year for him.
The Spaniard was promoted to the category this year after finishing fifth with Campos Racing in Formula 3 in 2023.
Marti has remained with Campos in Formula 2 this season, giving him a well-established team at this level that can regularly fight for wins.
The 19-year-old and his teammate Isack Hadjar are part of the Red Bull junior team. The Frenchman has enjoyed a brilliant 2024 season, claiming four victories so far and currently sits second in the standings.
But with just three podiums and eight points finishes so far this season, Marti has not been able to match Hadjar’s success.
Pepe Marti names ‘spectacular’ Fernando Alonso as his ‘greatest role model’
The Spaniard has suffered eight retirements thus far in 2024, four of which being crashes on the opening lap of a race.
Currently sitting 16th in the standings with 43 points, Marti says 2025 is his ‘last opportunity’ to reach F1 as he will be under pressure to deliver results.
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But the 19-year-old will have the backing to head out on track and rectify his inconsistencies. Along with his ties to Red Bull, Marti is managed by two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso.
And speaking with Spanish publication SoyMotor.com, Marti lauded Alonso’s impact in F1 and his career, naming him as his ‘greatest role model.’
“I think it’s one of the best things that has happened in the history of Formula 1, he’s my greatest role model,” he said, “I think that whenever he’s had a car that people would say isn’t capable of fighting for the championship, he’s been there.
“I think that 2012 was a year that we all remember. 2010 too. In 2014 he also had an exceptional season… He’s a spectacular over-performance. He’s a person to admire, he’s a quality driver like few others, so for me being part of his management is a great opportunity.”
Pepe Marti’s teammate Isack Hadjar is fighting for the 2024 Formula 2 title
While Marti has struggled towards the back of the field, teammate Hadjar is in with a chance of winning the F2 title.
The Frenchman is just four and a half points behind championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto with two rounds to go in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
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While he has won more races than any other driver so far this season, Hadjar comes into the next round in Qatar on a poor run of form.
The 19-year-old has failed to score points in six of the last seven races, while Bortoleto has managed five top-five finishes in that time, including two podiums.