Martinius Stenshorne delivered a composed and confident display in a complicated F3 Qualifying session at the Belgian GP, putting his Hitech Pulse-Eight car on the third row of the grid for Sunday’s Feature Race. The Norwegian, who is also a McLaren Development Driver, secured fifth place amid one of the trickiest Qualifying formats on the calendar.
With Spa being the longest lap in the F3 season, drivers faced an intense balance of risk and reward when choosing the right time to push. Positioning was everything – the layout meant that a good tow could deliver tenths of a second, but a poorly timed run could lead to a ruined lap.
While speaking to the media after Qualifying, Stenshorne described just how critical the final laps were, with almost the entire field jostling to get a clean tow on their last attempts.
“It was typical Spa last push lap, everyone wants the draft. It was a good Qualifying overall. I think we were already competitive from Practice, we were P2, so it was good.”
Hitech’s strong performance in Free Practice gave the team a solid foundation, but translating that into a clean Qualifying run was far from straightforward.
Managing tyre preparation and traffic in a crowded session
As is often the case at Spa, the real challenge came not just from rivals but from the clock and the track itself. After banking an early time, most drivers waited until the final minutes to attempt a second run — leading to bunching, confusion, and extremely fine margins.
Stenshorne admitted the cooldown lap after his initial flyer became chaotic, and by the time the team secured a decent position on track, he was unable to get the tyres fully back into the right window.
“After the first lap as well in Qualifying, the cooldown lap after was quite chaotic but in the end, we managed to get a good position there as well, but the tyre just wasn’t there anymore.”
Finding that balance between holding track position and keeping tyres alive is always a gamble at Spa, especially with the long straights that make a slipstream worth up to half a second. Stenshorne broke down how crucial that tow was across the lap, particularly in sectors one and three, but also stressed the importance of nailing the lap regardless of whether or not a draft was available.
“It was a bit of a combination of both track position – which is important here. You can gain quite a bit of time in sector one and three, especially from the tow and not being too close to lose time when we get into sector two. But then you also need to do the job if you have a tow or not.”
Solid starting spot despite a session full of variables
Ultimately, the Norwegian was pleased with the outcome given how many factors played into the session. Though he admitted there were small areas to fine-tune, fifth place was a strong result considering the pressure and unpredictability of Spa Qualifying.
“I’m quite happy with the result. I didn’t have too much more to be honest. But there are some things to fine tune. Tomorrow is the first race, so completely different scenario for the car perspective. But happy overall with P5 in this session.”
Weather remains a significant factor across the weekend, with rain a consistent threat during both races. Stenshorne acknowledged the possibility of changing conditions, noting that staying alert and choosing the right tyres would be essential.
“Tomorrow looks okay but then Sunday I think there might be a bit more rain. So, we will have to see, it’ll be the same for everyone, you just have to be on the right tyres.”
Momentum builds as Hitech TGR make performance breakthrough
Reflecting on his season more broadly, Stenshorne was upbeat about the progress Hitech has made in recent rounds. He pointed to earlier races where the team struggled, particularly in Barcelona, but credited the turnaround to technical gains made from the Red Bull Ring onwards.
Hitech’s gains have shown up not only in Qualifying but in long-run performance as well. The team found critical setup improvements that have made their car far more competitive across a race stint.
“I’m happy because at the beginning of the season we were struggling with Qualifying and race pace. In Barcelona we were quite poor in the races, to be honest, but from Red Bull Ring, we found some stuff which has worked quite well.”
“So we got a very good picture there and were good in the dry at Silverstone as well. I hope I can continue this momentum here as well.”
Stenshorne’s recovery drive and victory in Spielberg showcased that improved race pace, while a strong showing at Silverstone confirmed the upward trajectory. The goal now is consistency — and Spa, with its mix of high-speed sections and changing conditions, offers the perfect test.
Long run to Les Combes offers early opportunity
While Qualifying sets the stage, the races at Spa often unfold very differently. The long uphill run from La Source to Les Combes provides ample opportunity for slipstreaming at the start — something Stenshorne is well aware of as he lines up inside the top ten.
With places often shuffled before the first lap ends, racecraft and timing will be just as crucial as outright speed.
“It’s going to be interesting. It’s a long run to Turn 5, so it’s going to be about getting the right slipstream which is not always so easy. Anything can happen here, and starting from P7, let’s see what happens.”
Though he will start the Sprint Race from seventh due to the reverse grid, Stenshorne knows Spa is a circuit that rewards bold moves and sharp decisions. If the weather shifts — and it usually does — those who adapt quickly can gain massively.
A confident platform to build from
Stenshorne enters the race weekend in a strong position both in terms of grid placement and confidence. His measured approach to a volatile session, combined with Hitech’s recent momentum, places him as a serious contender for another strong points haul — and potentially more.
Rain or shine, Spa always delivers drama. With a clean getaway, good strategy, and continued consistency, Stenshorne may once again find himself at the front when the chequered flag falls.
