Martin Molnár’s participation in the UK marks a milestone in the history of Hungarian motorsport, as he is the first Hungarian driver to compete in an FIA-accredited British championship. In the 2010s, Pál Tamás Kiss competed in the predecessor of the British F4 championship, the British Formula Renault 2.0, and progressed all the way to the doorstep of Formula One. Currently, Pál Tamás Kiss serves as the sports director of Motorsport Talent Management (MOTAM) and also acts as Martin’s driver coach.
‘Last August, I had the opportunity to attend a race weekend at Donington Park, and I immediately fell in love with the championship. I quickly found harmony with the team and was able to accommodate myself, which is crucial after competing in another country over the past few years. Since summer, I’ve been testing a lot, and together with the experts of 321 Perform and Fit4Race, we’ve transformed my physique and added simulator training into my routine. I’m really looking forward to showing what we’re capable of with Virtuosi. A new era is beginning in my career, which could not have happened without my parents and our partners. I sincerely thank them for the opportunity!’ – added Molnár Martin.
A major milestone in a successful career
Since 2018, Martin Molnár has done karting competitively, living away from his family in Italy. Over the past years, he honed his skills in Italian series such as WSK, Champions of the Future, and the CIK-FIA European Championship, which have been nurturing future Formula One drivers and excellent racers for other categories.
The first phase of the 15-year-old driver’s career was primarily accomplished thanks to family support. This also enabled Budapest-based Motorsport Talent Management (MOTAM), responsible for sports management, to prepare Martin’s progression into single seater categories since May 2022. As part of this, Pál Tamás Kiss joined the management team. With his addition, the career plan was developed, and the most suitable partners, including the racing team were found to give Martin the best chances to succeed.
‘Today’s announcement is the result of Martin’s unwavering diligence and determination, which could not have been achieved without the efforts of his family. Thanks to the trust and long-term thinking of his parents, we can jointly build a sports program that, with the collaboration of our partners, can produce an outstanding athlete for Hungarian sports in the long run. Martin’s successes can also help the promotion of Hungary, Hungarian talents, and companies on the international stage. I thank everyone who has contributed and continues to contribute to Martin’s career, because his success will increasingly become our collective success,’ stated Tamás Őry, CEO of MOTAM.
From a sports management perspective, Pál Tamás Kiss oversees Martin’s career, bringing significant experience in terms of British motorsport culture and closely monitoring Martin’s testing program.
‘Seeing the initial results, I am optimistic, but the talent development in motorsport is of such a high standard, and drivers begin their training at such a young age, covering so many kilometres, that it’s not expected for someone to excel in their first year,’ stated Pál Tamás Kiss.
He added, ‘I set the goal for Martin to aim for a top three finish in the Rookie Championship. This would already be a huge achievement, and ideally, he should secure as many top 10 finishes as possible. He should gather experience, mileage, but considering the recent period and the path we’ve taken, I am confident we will see him on the podium in the British championship.”
