Cupra Kiro rookie Pepe Marti has released a vlog documenting his maiden Formula E podium in Monaco. In the video, he reveals his disappointment after the first free practice session on Saturday morning, feeling he was lagging behind the field despite being happy with the car. However, his fortunes changed dramatically hours later in the Round 9 race. Starting from 15th on the grid, Marti crossed the line in fourth before being promoted to third after teammate Dan Ticktum was stripped of his podium finish due to a race penalty.
Behind-the-scenes in Monaco
In the vlog, Marti takes fans through his day in Monaco. The Cupra Kiro driver signs autographs, spends time with friends in the paddock, and catches up with Mahindra Racing development driver Kush Maini. After the podium ceremony, celebrations continue with warm hugs shared with family members and team personnel.
Holding his trophy at the end of the video, Marti said, 'Hopefully this is not the last one. I don't think it will be. This is the first of many, many trophies. Thank you for the support. I'll try to do it again.'
A promise for the future
Towards the end of the video, Marti is encouraged by his family and friends to jump into the famous Monaco pool, a tradition often followed by race winners. However, he explains that while he has secured a podium, he will only take the plunge once he wins a race in Monaco.
The 20-year-old wrote alongside the YouTube video: 'My First Formula E Podium! What a weekend. Scoring my first Formula E podium is a moment I'll never forget, and in this video I wanted to take you with me through the whole experience - from the build-up and preparation to the race itself, the emotions after crossing the finish line, and everything that happened behind the scenes.' He added, 'It's been a challenging but exciting journey adapting to Formula E, so achieving this result means a lot to me and to everyone who has been supporting me along the way. And make sure you watch until the end... because in the excitement of the moment, I may or may not have made a promise. Let's see if future me ends up regretting it. Thanks for all the support. Enjoy the vlog!'
The following day, Marti was unable to finish the Round 10 race, but that did little to overshadow his maiden Formula E podium. He now sits 11th in the Formula E Drivers' Championship with 40 points.
