PEPE REACHES QUALIFYING DUELS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SHANGHÁI.

Pepe Martí Shows Strong Pace in Shanghai Despite Missing Out on the Results He Deserved

Pepe Martí completed the Shanghai double-header with mixed feelings. The CUPRA KIRO driver once again demonstrated impressive pace throughout the weekend, reached the Qualifying Duels for the first time in his Formula E career and looked set to challenge for a podium finish. However, a series of unfortunate circumstances – most notably the Safety Car in the first race – prevented him from converting his speed into the result it deserved. Attention now turns to Tokyo.

Martí, who wore a sticker on his helmet throughout the weekend in support of Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes, arrived in Shanghai determined to take another step forward in qualifying. On Saturday, he missed out on the Duels by just five hundredths of a second in another incredibly close session, lining up 12th on the grid for Race 1.

From there, the Spaniard once again showcased his trademark racecraft. Excellent energy management and a delayed Pit Boost strategy allowed him to emerge from the Pit Lane in fourth place, putting him firmly in contention for a podium and even victory.

Unfortunately, luck was not on his side. Moments after activating his Attack Mode, Race Control deployed the Safety Car due to heavy rain, effectively neutralising his strategic advantage. By the time the rest of the field activated their Attack Mode under green flag conditions, Martí was at a significant disadvantage and eventually finished 14th.

Sunday brought the Barcelona-born driver's strongest qualifying performance of his rookie Formula E season. For the first time, Martí progressed into the Qualifying Duels, securing sixth place on the grid in challenging conditions as the circuit gradually dried after earlier rain.

The second race unfolded very differently. With wet conditions from the start, many drivers – including Martí – opted to activate their first Attack Mode at Turn 1. The CUPRA KIRO driver climbed as high as fourth and remained firmly in the leading group during the opening stages.

However, the drivers behind were able to save more energy while those at the front battled intensely for position, ultimately gaining a strategic advantage. Martí saved his second Attack Mode until the closing laps and pushed hard to recover ground, but despite a strong finish he narrowly missed out on the points, crossing the line in 12th place.

Although the results did not fully reflect the pace shown throughout the weekend, Martí leaves Shanghai encouraged by another competitive performance. He now heads into the final four races of his maiden FIA Formula E World Championship campaign, with double-header events in Tokyo (24–26 July) and London (14–16 August) still to come.