2026 Monaco E-Prix Race 1 delivered another chaotic and unpredictable contest as Pepe Martí stormed from 15th on the grid to secure the first podium of his Formula E career.
Although Martí initially crossed the line in fourth position, a late penalty for Dan Ticktum elevated the Spaniard onto the podium following a dramatic finish around the streets of Monaco. The result rewarded a composed and intelligent drive that combined aggressive overtaking, efficient energy management, and strong strategic execution from his team.
Importantly, the podium continued Martí’s impressive adaptation to Formula E machinery during his rookie campaign and underlined his growing confidence in the all-electric championship.
Strong opening laps lay the foundation for Martí’s charge
After a frustrating Qualifying session left him outside the top ten, Martí responded immediately once the race began. While several rivals encountered incidents and penalties throughout the opening phase, the young Spaniard steadily carved his way through the field.
Martí later admitted that he only discovered he had inherited third place while on the weigh bridge after the race.
“Honestly, I was in the weigh-bridge, and I was looking at the timesheet… that was actually on the radio, and it happened to be the penalty. I was sitting in the ring, and I was like, jeez, we finished fourth, 20 seconds away from Nyck [De Vries]. I guess it must be the biggest gap between first and third since Valencia. In a way, I think I’m a bit lucky. Pascal [Wehrlein] had a lot of problems, and I had a lot of problems, and someone else, I don’t really know.”
Nevertheless, Martí acknowledged that Formula E often rewards drivers who place themselves in the right position during chaotic races.
“Formula E is all about a bit of luck. I think we put ourselves in a really good position in those first few laps. I think I went up to 11th, just [with] one lap of normal overtaking.”
The aggressive opening stint immediately transformed Martí’s race and allowed him to capitalise on the strategic opportunities that developed later in the E-Prix.
Team strategy proves decisive during Pit Boost phase
As the race evolved, strategic execution became increasingly important around the tight Monaco circuit. Crucially, Martí and his team maximised the mandatory Pit Boost window and gained valuable track position during the cycle of stops.
The Spaniard praised the work completed by his engineers and mechanics during the decisive phase of the race.
“The team did a fantastic job in the pit window. I was a bit lucky to come out just ahead of Joel [Eriksson], I think it was. He was a bit low on energy, so I got to open a gap, take a tackle without losing my position, and then just pass Sébastien [Buemi] and Felipe Drugovic. Yeah, good. Happy.”
The recovery carried additional significance because overtaking traditionally proves extremely difficult around Monaco. Consequently, Martí admitted he had struggled emotionally after Qualifying failed to deliver the result he wanted.
“I was quite depressed after Quali, but it’s good for a change.”
By contrast, the race itself showcased Martí’s growing maturity and confidence in wheel-to-wheel combat within Formula E’s unique strategic environment.
Energy management and racecraft shape Monaco E-Prix success for Martí
Like many Formula E races, the 2026 Monaco E-Prix demanded constant management of energy usage, attack timing, and race positioning. Drivers needed to judge carefully when to attack rivals and when to preserve energy for the closing stages.
Martí explained that balancing those factors remained one of the biggest challenges throughout the race.
“I guess like any other track in Formula E, even the [unintelligible] here are quite large. Knowing when it’s worth it to be close and try to go for another take, or when it’s better to hand back and use the gap behind, that’s quite hard. You get used to it.”
At the same time, the Spaniard highlighted his growing confidence in one of Formula E’s most critical areas: energy management.
“Like I said before, I think the team actually did really well. I think my side of the job, with the energy, which is something I’ve done quite well in these first few races, was okay today. And then playing into my own advantage at the end.”
That ability to manage the race strategically ultimately allowed Martí to remain competitive while others around him encountered penalties, punctures, or contact.
Martí sympathises with teammate Ticktum after late penalty at the 2026 Monaco E-Prix
Despite benefiting directly from Ticktum’s penalty, which was handed down after a clash between the two, Martí expressed sympathy for the Briton after the race. Ticktum had produced one of his strongest Formula E weekends to date after securing pole position and fighting at the front throughout the E-Prix.
Martí admitted he had not yet reviewed the incident itself before speaking to the media.
“No, I haven’t seen it. The only thing I’ve heard is that apparently, he wasn’t as far along the side as it was deemed in the guidelines. I would have to get a look at it before I say anything.”
Importantly, Martí also revealed the significant role Ticktum has played in helping him adapt during his rookie Formula E season.
“For me, it’s obviously not nice to take a podium away from Dan because he’s been a very good coach in a way across this first half of the season. And he got pole, so that doesn’t feel as nice as if I got in it purely by merit of being P3. But then again, I’m still happy for myself, so it’s a 50-50 area.”
Although the circumstances surrounding the podium remained complicated, Martí nevertheless leaves Round 9 at the 2026 Monaco E-Prix with a landmark result that could prove pivotal in building momentum during the remainder of his rookie Formula E campaign.
