Hitech have ‘taken a step forward’ in Barcelona testing says Stenshorne

Martinius Stenshorne feels he and Hitech Pulse-Eight have “improved a lot” following the in-season test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

However, the Norwegian was still taking a cautious approach believing that their rivals would have also made progression with their own performance at the test.

Reflecting on the three days of running – during which he completed 201 laps – Stenshorne said: “It went quite well. Of course it's quite nice to have a test in F3, we don't have so much track time so whenever you have it, it's really nice and a good opportunity especially for the rookies.

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“We were just trying to learn general things about the car more and getting more comfortable with how things work. I was also just focusing on driving, which is the most important thing for me at the moment as I’m a rookie and I still have a lot to learn driving-wise.

“I think I learned a lot, that's a positive, and I think we improved; I think we brought the car towards my driving style a bit which is positive, and I think we took a step forward.

“It's difficult to say what other teams did as they also learned something and improved something so it's difficult to say but I think we did a good job which is always positive.”

Stenshorne showed glimpses of what he is capable of doing in Formula 3 machinery when he won the Melbourne Sprint Race in just his third race in the Championship.

That is his only point scoring outing so far this year, but he believes that the test has helped him improve his pace and close the gap on teammate Luke Browning – who is currently at the top of the Drivers’ Standings with Trident’s Leonardo Fornaroli.

“Of course, it's quite difficult to look too much into the testing times,” he explained. “Everyone is doing different programs, and you don't know who is pushing fully and who is not.

“So, I am just trying to compare myself to my teammate Luke and I think I was closer now than I have been before, so that's a positive, and that’s my role.”

In Profile: Martinius Stenshorne

So, with that improved form, can Stenshorne add to his win tally as the calendar heads to a few European circuits that he knows well? He certainly hopes so, but he is quick to acknowledge that he is not the only rookie who is heading to tracks they are familiar with.

“I hope I can get more wins,” said Stenshorne. “Obviously, it was quite nice to have the Melbourne win, first in F3 which was nice and only the second round of the Championship, so that was quite positive.

“Obviously, it's a Sprint Race, so it's not the big race, but it was still really nice, and now we are going to Europe, where I know most of the tracks. I am going to go to Silverstone to race this weekend and to learn that track as well.

“Then I just have Monaco to learn, so I know most of the tracks now, and that helps a lot with the little track time we have, so I think it's going to be a bit better for me.

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“But I am not the only one who now knows the tracks, most of the rookies have been to these tracks that we are going to. So, it's not only me. I'm feeling more confident but it's the same more or less for everyone.”

Looking at his goals for the rest of the season, Stenshorne added: “My goal is just to keep improving to be honest, learn as much as possible, and of course good results is the goal as well.

“So, I am just trying to improve my driving and myself as much as possible and of course I am trying to go and get good results for myself and the team.”