The 40-year-old from Brussels helped secure the team’s first podium of the season last month, with the trio standing on the second step of the podium at the end of the 4 Hours of Imola. They will be hoping that they can take one step further at Martin’s home track in the Ardennes Forest.
Q: You joined your teammates in the no62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG in Le Castellet and Imola, with a second-place finish in Italy. How would you sum up the first half of the season from your point view?
Maxime Martin: “I think it has been a decent 1st half of the season. We showed great potential but couldn’t really score every time. The podium in Imola was good relief and hope will put us in a better position for the second half of the season.”
Q: Have you raced with your teammates Abdulla Ali Al Khelaifi and Julien Hanses before this year in the ELMS?
MM: “No, I’ve never raced with them before. They are really nice and professional teammates and happy to race with them.”
Q: Tell us more about the Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 EVO, what do you like the most about racing this car and what are its strengths on the tracks the ELMS races on?
MM: “The Mercedes-AMG is one of the best GT3’s built in the last 10 years. The real strength of the car is that it is very efficient; It’s always in a good range on any track, any conditions, any tyres.”
Q: The next race is your home event at Spa-Francorchamps. What is it that makes Spa a favourite for almost every driver that races there and what makes it special for you personally?
MM: “Spa is always a special place to race but also as Belgian it makes it even more special. It’s always a pleasure to race in your own country and with all the people.”
Q: Do you have a favourite corner or sequence?
MM: “For sure Eau Rouge is the most famous and spectacular one but the double left of Pouhon is my favourite.”
Q: The team are fourth in the championship and just 12-points behind the no33 TF Sport Corvette in the standings. Looking at the championship title race, what would you consider to be a good result at Spa?
MM: “Looking at our overall performance and especially on the last race, I think that we should be able to fight for a podium and a potential win.”
Q: Tell us a bit more about Maxime Martin. What do you like to do when you are not racing for Mercedes-AMG? Do you play any sport or have any hobbies away from racing?
MM: “I’m definitely loving racket or ball sports. I try to play golf as much as I can but also tennis, padel. The most important is to be with my family. As I’m traveling around 200 days a year for racing, I try to spend as much time as possible with my wife and kids.”
The 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is Round 4 of the 2026 European Le Mans Series and will take place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd August.
CLICK HERE to view the event programme.
Tickets are available from just 8€ HERE
LIVE COVERAGE ON FIAWEC+ APP
A proving ground for teams and drivers with Le Mans in their sights, the European Le Mans Series is live for free on FIAWEC+, the official home of ELMS coverage, with full race broadcasts, replays and highlights throughout the season. Stream every ELMS race for free with a FIAWEC+ account on https://plus.fiawec.com/en/european-le-mans-series
