An unfortunate ending mars an otherwise impressive Formula E debut

The Spanish driver showcased his potential and delivered excellent energy management in his first race with CUPRA KIRO in São Paulo.

However, an accident in the closing stages — caused by a delayed reaction during a neutralisation period — brought an abrupt end to a performance that was clearly on course for a top-five finish.”

"I take full responsibility for the incident and apologise to the team; it’s a very tough penalty to start with, but the potential is there.".

Pepe Martí faced an intense and demanding debut in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship at the São Paulo E-Prix, the first round of the season. The Spanish driver made his official debut with CUPRA KIRO during an unusual weekend, disrupted by the cancellation of Friday’s practice sessions due to a technical issue on the part of the organisers. With only a single free practice session on Saturday morning before qualifying, adaptation had to be immediate.

In that brief free practice, Martí had to familiarise himself with a completely new environment in record time, with very little opportunity to fully understand the car’s behaviour. Even so, he made a significant step forward in qualifying: on his first attempt, he set a clearly more competitive lap, placing seventh in his group and 14th overall. While still short of the positions he aims for, the result demonstrated a rapid, solid, and promising progression.

The race confirmed those impressions. Martí and CUPRA KIRO executed an impeccable first half of the event from a strategic standpoint, with precise energy management that placed the Spanish driver in a commendable fifth position, giving him a genuine chance to secure a standout debut in Formula E.

However, misfortune struck in the closing stages. With the race underway, Race Control deployed a Full Course Yellow. Martí slowed to comply with the delta, but the cars ahead braked earlier than expected, resulting in unavoidable contact that ended his participation. After reviewing the incident, Race Control decided that the corresponding penalty will be applied at the next round in Mexico City.

An unfortunate ending to a debut that nonetheless showcased Martí’s clear potential and the team’s solid work throughout the weekend.

True to his character, Martí immediately took full responsibility for the incident, without seeking excuses or diluting his self-criticism:

“It has been a very intense weekend. We only had one free practice session because Friday’s was cancelled, so we arrived at qualifying with very little track time. It was quite difficult to understand the car at first, but we made a significant step forward in qualifying. On the first lap, we already set a more competitive time, finishing seventh in our group and 14th overall. Still far from where we want to be, but it was a positive performance step.”

“The race strategy prepared by the team was very well executed. I was managing the energy efficiently throughout the first half of the race, avoiding any issues. In the first attack mode, I wasn’t as efficient as I should have been with overtaking, which left us slightly further back than we would have liked around lap 22.”

“In the final restart, when everyone was already pushing near maximum intensity, I activated attack mode. Unfortunately, when the Full Course Yellow came out, I slowed to respect the speed limit, but I didn’t react quickly enough to Antonio and Nico ahead and made contact with them. I take full responsibility for the incident. I made it very clear to the stewards, the team, and the other drivers. We received a very tough penalty for Mexico, where we will start from the back of the grid, plus four points on the super licence. It’s a serious punishment to start the season.”

“It’s a shame because we were really having a very strong race and fighting for a top-five finish on my debut. The team did a fantastic job, the car was performing very well, and we deserved to be fighting for a strong position. I apologise to the entire team.”

Despite the outcome, the weekend also provides very positive takeaways: a rapid adaptation to the car, efficient energy management, a well-executed strategy, and a pace clearly capable of a top-five finish under normal racing conditions.

With these feelings in mind, Pepe Martí is already focusing on the next round in Mexico, where he will serve his penalty. He will do so with the confidence gained from the potential shown in São Paulo—a solid foundation on which to build his first full season in Formula E.