Stenshorne claims fifth podium as F3 season comes to a close
Round 10 - Monza - Report
The final round of the FIA Formula 3 season, at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, brought a well-earned result for the team, as Martinius Stenshorne claimed his fifth podium of the year with a P2 finish in Saturday’s Sprint Race. After initially crossing the line in third, he was promoted to second following post-race penalties – a fitting way to close out an impressive second season for the Norwegian.
In Sunday’s Feature Race, Martinius started from P11 and by the midpoint of the race, he was running as high as fifth. Unfortunately, he picked up damage, which caused him to drop down the order. Nonetheless, his Sprint podium was a reminder of the pace and consistency he has shown throughout the year.
Martinius Stenshorne:
“In the Feature Race, I was up in P5 for a bit, fighting my way up the field after starting 11th. But unfortunately when overtaking for 5th I was hit slightly on the rear which resulted in a puncture. Shame to end the season like this, after showing good potential and improvements from Saturday. I was running in a position to take 4th in the championship as well!”
“Still, we finished 5th overall in the championship, which I think we can be happy about, considering some of our struggles this season. Big thanks to everyone at Hitech.”
Throughout the season, Martinius was a regular contender for podium positions. While his goal of a top-three finish in the overall championship slipped from his grasp, he can be proud of his two race victories – in Monaco and Spielberg – and three additional podiums in Melbourne, Silverstone, and now Monza.
Gerrard Xie had an impressive Rookie season with clear development and notable performances, including a best finish of P15 in the Sprint Race at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. He has continued to grow in confidence as his debut year progressed.
Nikita Johnson made a great start to his F3 career in four rounds of this 2025 season, achieving a personal best of P13 in the Monza Sprint Race.
This season also marked the introduction of the new F3 car, adding another layer of complexity for teams and drivers alike. Adapting to new machinery brought its own challenges, but also opportunities to evolve and improve as the season progressed, and the team has laid important foundations for the future.
Paul Bellringer:
“This year has tested us in many ways, from adapting to the new car to competing against a highly competitive field. I want to thank every member of the team for their hard work and dedication - from the very first test through to the final lap of Round 10. While the results haven’t always reflected our ambitions, Martinius’s wins and podiums and the progress from all our drivers give us the determination to come back stronger next season.”
Martinius, who led the charge all season, achieved 5th place in the Drivers’ Championship, while Hitech finishes 7th in the Teams’ Standings.
