Fortec driver Jordyn Martin produced an impressive recovery drive at Oulton Park to secure her maiden top-10 GB4 finish in Race 2 of the 2026 weekend. The American rookie started from 15th on the grid. However, she immediately carved through the field and gained four places on the opening lap. As the race unfolded, Martin continued to apply pressure on the drivers ahead before finally breaking into the top 10 during the closing stages.
The result marked an important milestone in her debut full season of single-seater racing. In addition, Martin became the first female driver to finish inside the top 10 in this year’s championship. She also ended the race as the second highest-placed Rookie driver.
Fast start sets the tone as decisive move secures top-10 finish for Martins at Oulton Park
Martin revealed that her opening lap proved crucial to the final outcome after she capitalised on opportunities around her.
“I had a really good start, and I was able to pass them [two drivers] around the outside, which was a really good opportunity,” she commented while speaking to GB4. “Coulthard and McLean then got tripped up a little bit, which was also a good opportunity on my side. I was catching Del Grosso, and with my speed, I was pretty much up there, and I was able to get him.”
Her aggressive yet controlled approach immediately placed her within striking distance of the top 10. Consequently, she maintained strong momentum throughout the race while consistently matching the pace of the drivers ahead.
Martin eventually sealed her breakthrough moment with only three laps remaining. She overtook Elite Motorsport driver Emmilio Valentinon Del Grosso after capitalising on a small mistake into the opening corner. The Fortec driver explained how the opportunity developed before she completed the pass through the following sequence of corners.
“Into Turn 1, he had a little incident, he got a little tripped up, and it gave me a really good opportunity, and I was able to get him on the inside at the kink of turn three. He kind of went off a little bit, and he was trying to keep it, but I was able to get past.”
The move underlined Martin’s growing confidence and racecraft as she continued to adapt quickly to single-seater competition.
Encouraging progress in rookie campaign
Martin’s latest result continued a promising start to the season with Fortec. Across the opening rounds, she consistently qualified in the top half of the field, recording starting positions of 14th, 12th, 17th and 15th for the championship’s main races.
Although qualifying sessions have not always gone smoothly, Martin believes her pace has remained evident throughout the campaign.
“It’s been a great start,” she noted. “We’ve been showing a lot of pace, but qualifying at both rounds has been a little bit unlucky. But by the second round, to be finishing in the top-10 is great, it feels amazing and it definitely has brought my confidence up a good bit. I knew I had the pace, I knew I could definitely have done it, especially in a reverse grid.”
As a result, the Oulton Park performance now provides a significant confidence boost heading deeper into the season.
Confidence growing with Fortec
Martin also acknowledged the challenge of adapting to single-seater machinery during her first full campaign. Nevertheless, she praised Fortec for supporting her development throughout the early stages of the season.
“It’s been a big jump, and it’s been hard, but it’s a learning process. But I’ve learned a lot with Fortec, and I’m truly grateful for everything they’ve done for me, it’s been an amazing experience so far, and I can’t wait for the rest of the season.”
With confidence continuing to build, Martin now looks well placed to challenge for more top-10 finishes as the championship progresses.
