Back with Victor Martins on his Formula 3 title after a thrilling suspense

What is your assessment of the season?

The work has been done and the objective has been achieved. We are ending on a positive note. For now, we haven’t taken stock of the entire season. I want to enjoy the moment and savor this title. But otherwise, we could have done better throughout the year. We started wanting to manage the championship before Zandvoort, but in the end, thinking that way made me make more mistakes. I know we missed out on Budapest and Spa. But otherwise, everywhere else we had the pace to take pole position and win races. Everything was going in the right direction and at the end, we fulfilled the main objective, which was winning the championship.

Outside of Monza, what is your best memory or positive point?

« Barcelona in terms of points, otherwise Zandvoort. That’s where the championship turned a little in my favor after Budapest and Spa. Zandvoort was a positive point because there was work on myself. I had to improve. I was too much in control, I wasn’t taking enough risks. I tried to approach the Zandvoort weekend differently and that, that was a positive point. And all of this is thanks to everyone around me, ART, my team manager, Alpine, and my big brother.

Did you get a chance to review your shopping from this weekend?

So quickly, but I can tell every turn because I remember them (laughs). On the first race, in the heat of the moment, I was annoyed about the accident with Arthur Leclerc. I hadn’t seen the footage, but before we made contact, there was a slight swerve on his part. Without seeing the footage, I thought he had bumped into me. I kept my trajectory from the beginning of the turn even though I still had space on the left. But it was completely my mistake. I should have taken responsibility and moved aside. With a little hindsight, I will have to work on it and learn to control the others. It cost me my serenity and a potential advantage for Sunday.

Then the next day. I ran the perfect race to win the title, without getting into pointless fights. I seized opportunities and spent a lot of time observing.

Tell us about your battles with Oliver Bearman and Zane Maloney.

« I reflected a lot considering what happened the day before. I overtook Alexander Smolyar at the same place of the incident between Arthur Leclerc and me. I left more space than the day before. I had a fight with Zane Maloney at the second chicane because there was less risk, we could have both cut the chicane if necessary, I know him and his way of driving and defending. Just like in karting, I placed myself behind him to follow without taking any risk. Then Oliver Bearman overtook me, today was not the day to win. I saw that William Alatalo was quite far behind. My goal was to finish third to secure the title.

»

Tell us how you experienced the red flag and the decisions of the commissioners.

At the time of the red flag, we didn’t know if the race would resume. But during our safety car lap, we were able to see the location of the accident. Considering the damage to the barriers, etc… I thought it wouldn’t restart.

I had to stay focused and not show the pressure I had at that moment. I wasn’t stressing out. Whatever happened, I wouldn’t have given up the championship. I’m very happy with how I experienced that moment. My heart rate was pretty low. I had confidence in myself, I had a great race. We were all calm at that moment.

How did you experience the penalty?

« I wasn’t aware of the investigation. When I get out of the car, I see my brother on his phone and he sees the penalty for me. I immediately knew that something was going on. It was at that moment that I was looking for my engineer a little annoyed (laughs), it was a complete misunderstanding because I wasn’t aware. If I had lost the title because of it, it would have been an injustice. I was informed about the zig-zags at the beginning of the race and I stopped doing them. Everyone was trying to calm me down. They told me that no matter what, even with the five-second penalty, I would be the champion because Oliver Bearman doesn’t win and William Alatalo behind me also gets penalized. But since I started in single-seaters, I have already lost the title twice in the last race (F4 France, Formula Renault). Luckily, it turned out well for me in the money time.

Did you manage to release the pressure and celebrate it?

« Yes, yes! With the team and teammates, we had dinner together in Milan and we started this at the circuit (laughs). »

Will you be attending the Formula 2 meeting in Abu Dhabi?

« Yes, I feel like attending this meeting. But I’m not sure if there will be space. At the moment, I’m not necessarily interested in it. I don’t feel like asking for it. Alpine and my manager are fully behind me. They know that F2 is the next step. The main goal at the moment is the post-season tests (23/24/25 November in Abu Dhabi) to potentially prepare for next year. As for the race, it will depend, not sure if there will be room. I still hope for a pleasant surprise (laughs). I will be present for the FIA F3 prize-giving ceremony. In any case, there’s no reason for me not to participate in the post-season tests.

»

ART seems like the best solution with Théo Pourchaire’s departure, right?

Of course! I obtained all my titles with ART, I can’t imagine myself anywhere else. If I go to Formula 2, it will be with ART. If that’s the case, due to budget constraints, I will have to win in the first year. I need the best team ».

How is it going with Alpine, and specifically your feelings about the case of Oscar Piastri?

« I don’t feel like commenting on what happened. I think now both sides will have to be careful (team and drivers). I want to stay with them. I have been part of the academy for 5 years. They have always put me in good conditions, in the best teams, and the support is really great. They want to build something with the academy and support their drivers no matter their project. I don’t have any doubts about it, I am in very good hands.

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Speaking of the academy, how do you see Jack Doohan? Do you see him as a “threat”?

« No, not at all. If I do the work on my own, one day I might have the chance to go to F1. If I don’t get good results, I won’t deserve it. I don’t want to say that someone else is taking my place, etc… As I have already seen somewhere, “You don’t need to turn off someone else’s light to make yours shine”. It’s something I will keep within me. Jack is having a great season and if they put him in F1, it would be well deserved. »

Julien Fébreau will be driving an Alpine, but when will it be your turn?

(Laughs) I saw him this weekend in the paddock and we laughed about it, saying that he’s going to drive a Formula 1 car before me, even though we have to go through all the categories first and he doesn’t. (Laughs) But on a serious note, he deserves it, he’s doing a fantastic job and I’m happy for him. And the day I have that chance, we can talk about it for hours. Otherwise, if that chance were to come, it would be in private tests. But at the moment, I still don’t have any information about it.

Does the WEC Alpine project interest you?

No, I don’t think about it because currently I am focused on my career and my main goal is Formula 1. Maybe one day it could happen due to a lack of budget, for example. But at the moment, I remain concentrated on my project.

What are you going to do during the next two months?

(I) I am going to Magny Cours this weekend to help, give advice, and do reference laps for the 4 girls selected for a Formula 3 track day (Three girls from the W Series and one girl from the FRECA). I will also have Pirelli tests to do since I am the champion this season. I will take a little break, and also spend time with my family. I will continue to prepare myself. I will help my brother with his company and karting team.

We warmly thank Victor for taking the time for us. We congratulate him greatly on his title as the Formula 3 champion!