Former Red Bull Junior Pepe Martí Escapes Unhurt After Dramatic Somersault Crash and Fire in Formula E Debut
Spanish racing driver and former Red Bull junior talent Pepe Martí endured a nightmare start to his Formula E career after a frightening airborne crash during the season-opening São Paulo E-Prix. What was meant to be an exciting new chapter for the 20-year-old quickly turned into a terrifying scene as his car flipped over and caught fire, marking a disastrous debut weekend.
Martí, who recently walked away from the Formula 2 championship and the Red Bull Driver Academy to pursue a future in Formula E, was involved in a high-impact collision triggered by a sudden slowdown in front of him. As the pack approached a neutralised zone under a full-course yellow flag, two cars ahead of him reduced speed unexpectedly. Martí had just a split second to react but was unable to avoid contact, slamming directly into the back of the slowing cars.
The force of the impact launched Martí’s Cupra Kiro machine into the air in a dramatic somersault. The car flipped before crashing back onto the tarmac, skidding along the circuit with sparks flying. Moments later, smoke and flames began emerging from the damaged chassis.
Amazingly, Martí managed to climb out of the wreckage almost immediately. Despite the violent tumble and the fire that followed, he appeared to escape without serious injury. Onlookers reported that he sprang out of the cockpit and quickly attempted to find a safe route off the circuit while marshals worked to extinguish the flames. His physical safety brought relief to fans and officials, even as the crash left his debut weekend in ruins.
The incident capped off a bitter day for the entire ERT Formula E Team, as Martí’s British teammate Dan Ticktum also recorded a DNF, leaving the squad without points in the opening round.
A Risky Career Move Meets a Rough Beginning
Martí’s Formula E debut came after a bold decision to cut short his 2025 Formula 2 campaign. Sitting seventh in the standings and having already achieved notable success in the series, Martí opted to withdraw early in order to prepare fully for his first season in the all-electric championship. His final months in F2 had shown promise — four race victories and a total of nine podium finishes over two seasons — earning him the reputation of one of Red Bull’s brightest young prospects.
However, in a surprising development, Martí parted ways with Red Bull’s junior programme, choosing instead to pursue a fresh direction in Formula E. His move aligns with a growing trend of highly skilled young drivers transitioning to the electric racing world, seeing Formula E as a pathway to long-term professional stability and manufacturer-backed opportunities.
Before F2, Martí also worked his way up through F3 and the Spanish F4 Championship, both with Campos Racing, a team instrumental in developing his early career. His adaptability and speed earned him recognition, which eventually led to his support from Red Bull. Now, starting a new chapter without the backing of a major F1 organisation, Martí joins a rising wave of young drivers looking to make a name for themselves in Formula E rather than chasing limited seats in Formula 1.
A Growing Trend: Young Talent Turning to Formula E
Martí is far from the only talent shifting towards the electric championship. Recent seasons have seen an influx of high-profile young drivers choosing Formula E over traditional junior categories tied to Formula 1.
For instance, Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 F2 champion and former Aston Martin reserve driver, left his F1 commitments to race full-time with Andretti in Formula E. Similarly, Zane Maloney walked away from Formula 2 at the conclusion of the 2024 season to join Lola Yamaha ABT, embracing the rapidly evolving electric series.
The migration of young stars highlights Formula E’s growing prestige and the allure of racing for major manufacturers in a championship that continues to expand globally.
Dennis Opens the Season With Victory
While Martí’s debut ended prematurely, the season opener belonged to Jake Dennis, who claimed victory for the Andretti Formula E Team. Dennis’s win sets the tone for what promises to be another competitive and unpredictable Formula E season.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his first race, Martí’s talent and determination remain unquestioned. As he regroups and prepares for the next round, the young Spaniard will be focused on rebuilding momentum and proving that his move to Formula E was the right step in his still-emerging career.
