Martí confident in converting Practice pace as she targets ‘much-needed’ points

Nerea Martí was brimming with confidence in hers and Campos Racing’s pace after securing the second-fastest time of Free Practice in Singapore.

A flurry of late improvements elevated her above Doriane Pin and left the Tommy Hilfiger driver as Abbi Pulling’s closest rival, three-tenths off. Revelling in the opportunity to take on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Martí was satisfied by a job well done in the opening 30 minutes of running.

“It’s very exciting for me,” said Martí. “It’s incredible to be here, the track looks amazing. Let’s see in Qualifying because I want to go and try the track with the lights.

“The pace was good. We were taking more and more confidence, and at the end, I think we have a good pace to work from. We have room for improvement and we’re going to put everything together now with the new tyres for Qualifying and let’s see what we can do.”

One of five drivers to have previously raced in Singapore, lots has changed since the Spaniard’s last visit. With the track known for punishing even the smallest of mistakes, Martí admits it’ll take time to put together the perfect lap, but that track evolution should play less of a factor in Qualifying than it did earlier in the day.

“It’s difficult because there are some corners that are bumpy and others that are smooth,” she explained. “It’s difficult to manage that, but we are also adapting to the new tarmac. Then when I was here (last), I didn’t try the new Sector 3. I’m happy with P2 and let’s push for Qualifying because I think we can do a good job and catch up with some points in the Standings.

“Now F1 is on track, there’ll be more grip but I don’t think it’ll be that different. We’ll keep improving (times), but not like in Free Practice when it was a lot.”

READ MORE: PRACTICE: Pulling hits the streets quickest in Singapore

Martí currently sits fourth in the Standings, four points off teammate Chloe Chambers and one point ahead of Ferrari’s Maya Weug. Locked in a tight battle to finish the 2024 campaign inside the top three, she’s got her sights set on netting another set of Qualifying results to put her in the hunt for a podium.

“Of course, I want to be in the top as much as possible,” she remarked. “I want to be there and I need the points, so we are working to be in the top times.”