Pepe Martí issues immediate apology after discriminative comment

Formula E rookie Pepe Martí has issued an immediate apology after making a discriminatory comment over the radio during the second race of the Jeddah E-Prix.

The comments were made on Saturday evening to his Cupra Kiro outfit after passing the chequered flag, when he insisted he was not a "retard".

The Spaniard became frustrated in the closing stages after being asked to hold position in sixth behind team-mate Dan Ticktum, before attempting an overtake.

Martí did hold almost a per cent more energy than his team-mate, who scored his first points of the season.

Ticktum and Martí crossed the finish at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in fifth and sixth, marking the rookie’s best result in what has already been a debut season of strong progress.

However, in a moment of frustration, the 20-year-old lost his cool, an incident he did apologise for immediately in the post-race media pen and on social media.

Regarding the incident itself, Martí said over the radio after being informed he had done a good job: "Yeah, we need to have a serious talk. I don’t accept that.

"I may be a rookie, but I’m not a retard. And that is a retard move, however you see it."

Seconds later, after being told to halt his language, Martí said: "Sorry for saying it on the radio."

In the media pen, Martí’s initial comment to RacingNews365 was an apology for his discriminatory remark, saying: "First of all, I need to apologise for the language that I used over the radio.

"It was the heat of the moment and I just didn’t choose my words, frankly, very, very well. So I need to apologise for that."

Martí further apologised on the social media platform X, where he wrote: "I deeply apologise for the language I used on the radio today.

"In the heat of the moment, I chose my words terribly. I unfortunately cannot take back my words, but I want to publicly express my deepest apologies for my behaviour on the radio."

Shortly after the race, a Cupra Kiro spokesperson issued a statement to RacingNews365, which read: "Cupra Kiro acknowledges and sincerely regrets the language used by driver, Pepe Martí, during team radio communications during the 2026 Jeddah E-Prix.

"The language used was inappropriate and does not reflect the values of our team, our partners, or the standards of respect and professionalism that we expect from those representing us.

"We take this matter seriously, and have addressed it directly with Pepe, who has accepted full responsibility and issued a personal apology.

"Motorsport is a high-pressure environment built on passion and intensity, however, in professional sport, there is no place for language that may cause offence or harm.

"As an organisation, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes inclusion, respect, and accountability and we will continue to work together to ensure that we uphold these principles at all times, both on and off the track."