The ADD Motorsports-supported racer finished second and third despite a slow start on a circuit he had never raced at before.   But the 19-year-old once again flexed his title credentials with Team Bonaldi Motorsport and narrow the gap to second in the overall standings.   And with two of his more favoured tracks still to come, he believes a win is just around the corner.  

He said: “I’m delighted to get my best results in the Championship, especially as the pace wasn’t as good as we had hoped for. “I’d not raced at Paul Ricard before, while most of the drivers here had, so track time was crucial – but after a few minor problems in practice, we were on the back foot straight away. “I got into a decent position through qualifying and improved as the weekend went on, though. “Taking second place was a great way to finish the weekend. Hopefully, I can push on in the next few rounds, get my first win and close the gap on the drivers above me.”

After finishing fourth at Monza on the opening weekend of the Championship, Martin finished third in both races at Silverstone last month. But at Paul Ricard, despite a slow start, his results improved once again.  Minor car problems lost him valuable track time in the first free practice and the number of cars – 47 Huracán LP 620-2s on the track this weekend - impeded his progress in the second.   

While the first qualifying session seemed to be following a similar story, he put in a good lap with only two minutes to go to get a fifth place start for the first race and then the fourth fastest lap time in the next.   Martin got a decent start in the first race before a safety car hampered his progress - but he had moved into fourth place before a pit stop.   The longer the race went on, the stronger he got and he came through well for a third place finish – his third third place finish in a row. 

 A really good start to the second race saw him jump into third thanks to an assertive move on the first corner.  With four laps to go he made up some ground on the leaders thanks to a well-timed pit stop. And when the driver in front got a puncture, he was on hand to take advantage and come through for his first second place finish of the season.    

Although Martin stayed third in the overall standings, it meant he closed the gap to second place to just five points and to first by eight.   

Fraser Sheader, director of performance and management team ADD Motorsports, added: 

“It was a very pleasing performance. Martin started on the back foot on an unfamiliar track, but did brilliantly to get two podiums in the end. It’s put him a really strong position with two tracks coming up that he’s had success at before.

“He’s getting a lot stronger mentally and is really rising to the challenge. I’m sure a win isn’t far away.”