Stenshorne aiming to round out rookie F3 campaign on a high note

29 August 2024

Martinius Stenshorne is gearing up for the last two races of his maiden FIA Formula 3 season and is looking forward to getting out on track in Monza.

The Temple of Speed hosts the final round of the year for the third-consecutive campaign and drivers are expecting things to be difficult with conditions set to be hot and Qualifying just as unpredictable.

“I’m looking forward to it,” the Hitech Pulse-Eight driver began. “I think it’s going to be quite hot, but we’re hoping to end the season on a high. It’s not been the year we’d been hoping for so we’re going to try and do our best to finish it on a high.”

After almost a full month’s break, drivers are back in the racing mindset and Stenshorne is keen to put his work over the summer into action with one final chance to impress before signing off in 2024.

“Preparation doesn’t change too much to be honest. We’ve still done the same number of simulator days as we usually do, so that hasn’t changed too much for me.

“It’s weird though because you feel like the season is done a month ago but then you come back and do one more round and then you’re done. But I’m really looking forward to it.” Monza has undergone a redevelopment ahead of the 2024 race weekend, with several corners revamped and changes to the track surface adding a few question marks to an already intriguing weekend.

Stenshorne is aiming to add another win to his Melbourne victory from earlier in 2024

Stenshorne says that the biggest factor will still be Qualifying though, with the session set to be split for the first time in the same way as in Monte Carlo to lessen traffic issues.

The Norwegian driver says that he will be aiming to maximise his Friday even if a Pole Position here isn’t as crucial as other venues on the calendar.

“I really like the track. It makes the races fun and that’s what most people know it for. I think it’s good. Qualifying is usually a bit difficult here with a lot of people wanting to have a tow, but I think it’s going to be a bit easier this weekend with two groups – it’s going to help everyone out.

“That’s the most important part about F3. You have to get everything right – the track position, having the tyres in the right window while everyone is at the same point on track, everything needs to be as close to perfect as possible.

“We’ll have to try and learn in Practice before going out in Qualifying. We have to think about Qualifying even though this isn’t one of the tracks where it matters the most compared to somewhere like Budapest.”

With one win to his name in 2024, Stenshorne is aiming to add another before the final chequered flag of the season falls on Sunday morning.

The Hitech driver says Qualifying will be crucial even if it's not the most important factor around Monza

The McLaren Driver Development talent says he and Hitech Pulse-Eight have the pace to contend for the points positions, but ensuring they are a factor with a positive Qualifying result will go a long way to ensuring they are in the fight.

He added that he is feeling very at ease, and with one last round to go racing, Stenshorne says he is more than ready to make the team’s speed count.

“I hope to have a good session tomorrow and then achieve points in both races. It’s not been the season we’ve been hoping for but after Imola I feel like we’ve had quite good speed, but some incidents and difficult Qualifying sessions have made things difficult.

“I think our race pace has always been there. It’s just about having a good Friday and then the rest of the weekend will be easier.

“I’m coming into the weekend without too much pressure. I think it’s less than a few other drivers so I’m just going to go out there and try to have as much fun as possible and hopefully we have a good weekend.”