Stenshorne happy to make F3 experience count after topping Day 1 of Jerez test

8 October 2024

Martinius Stenshorne hit the ground running in post-season testing around the Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto, ending up fastest of all on Day 1 for Hitech Pulse-Eight.

The Norwegian driver had a fairly quiet start to the day as the British outfit opted not to fit the slicks after conditions dried up for a fast lap at the end of the morning segment.

He returned to the track in the afternoon however and logged the quickest time of the day on a 1:30.761.

Speaking after jumping out of the car and debriefing with the team, Stenshorne said it was a good start to their work in preparation for 2025.

“We had some wet running in the morning which was actually nice to do as well,” he began. “We were quite fast there as well but we didn’t go out again at the end of the session with the slick tyres, we just saved them for the afternoon.

“The wet morning changed things a bit as we planned to put some slicks on the morning, but then we couldn’t. But we managed to do some laps on the new tyres and some Qualifying simulations in the afternoon, so we’re now looking forward to tomorrow.”

While the post-season tests will be completed in the current generation F3 car, Stenshorne says there is still plenty to learn and work on ahead of the F3 2025 car coming into force next season.

The McLaren Driver Development Programme talent says he and the team have already made some progress and are aiming to eliminate weak points that he experienced in his rookie campaign this year.

Stenshorne is looking to maximise his track time in Jerez on Day 2

“It’s just about working on the weak points from the previous year and from this season. We know what the issues were last year so together with the team, we’re working on it.

“We haven’t driven since Monza so any testing you have, it’s nice to do and I’m enjoying it.

“Everyone went out together for the new tyre run at the end and I think for most of the runs we did, we were up there, so that’s a good feeling to have. Of course, we’re happy with that.”

Ahead of the final day in Jerez, Stenshorne said that he wouldn’t mind some more wet weather running, as he looks to gain more experience to carry into next season.

The Hitech driver added that everyone should take a step forward in pace tomorrow, with the track having rubbered in over the course of the first day and with temperatures cooler in the morning tomorrow.

“We might get some more wet running tomorrow which is always good. I haven’t driven much in the wet with this car so any running you can do in the wet is good.

“If I could have the morning in the dry and then the afternoon in the wet, that would be a perfect day.

“The track is always faster in the morning so it’s normal we should go faster tomorrow. I was here for the first time last year and I had fun and was quite fast in the afternoon as well. We will see tomorrow but we should be faster.”