Spanish racing driver Josep 'Pepe' Marti is looking forward to the new year with immense anticipation, as 2026 will mark his first complete campaign as a full-time Formula E driver. The young talent recently stepped into the all-electric championship, making his debut for the Cupra Kiro team at the Sao Paulo E-Prix alongside teammate Dan Ticktum.
A Year of Transition: From F2 Podiums to Formula E
As the year turned, Marti took to Instagram to share a heartfelt and reflective post, giving his fans a rare peek into his life beyond the racetrack. The post featured a series of personal photographs with his family, friends, and his girlfriend. "2025, what a year: end of several chapters and beginning of others," Marti wrote in the caption, adding excitedly, "2026, you don't know how eager I am for you to start!!"
The visual diary highlighted a significant first half of 2025, where Marti competed in the Formula 2 championship. Driving for Campos Racing as part of the prestigious Red Bull Junior Team, he showcased impressive form before his mid-season switch to Formula E. His F2 stint was notably successful, featuring five podium finishes, with three of those being race victories.
Life in the Fast Lane and Beyond
The Instagram photo dump wasn't all about racing. Several images captured Marti enjoying his well-earned downtime. He was seen on vacations in snowy mountains, relaxing shirtless at sea, cycling, cooking, and even indulging in sweet desserts. Other photos showed him engaged in specialised workout sessions designed to hone the physical edge needed for racing. One picture featured a stadium selfie with a family member, while his girlfriend appeared in several frames.
Singer Daniela Blasco, widely rumoured to be dating the driver, reacted to the post with a comment that read, "I loveeeeeeeeeee," followed by two red heart emojis. Fans flooded the comments with support, with messages like "Bring it on 2026!!!!!!!!! with you always" and "We are super proud of you and I hope you know that."
A Debut to Forget in Sao Paulo
Despite the optimistic tone of his New Year message, Marti's actual Formula E debut in Brazil was far from ideal. The Spaniard's landmark weekend came to an abrupt and frightening end during the closing stages of the Sao Paulo E-Prix. Marti was involved in a severe accident where his Cupra Kiro car flew over the machine of Jaguar TCS Racing's Antonio Felix da Costa and landed heavily on the track, scattering debris everywhere.
Fortunately, Marti escaped the terrifying crash without any physical injuries. However, the incident forced his immediate retirement from the race, cutting short what was supposed to be a celebratory debut in the world of Formula E. The event underscored the high stakes and unpredictable nature of top-tier motorsport, even as Marti sets his sights firmly on a fresh start in the coming season.
