The three-hour race began with scenes that looked more like an online sim racing lobby than reality.
According to stewards, the carnage started when the #17 GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG driven by Martin used the excess asphalt on his right before the grass verge.
Stewards said Martin made a dangerous re-entry, triggering cars to collide with each other.
Several went spinning on the approach to the Variante del Rettifilo, including the Garage 59 McLaren 720S that collided with the first-placed #54 Haupt Racing Team Ford Mustang.
More than half a dozen cars were left parked in the grass, and six of them were forced to retire after less than a lap.
Martin was deemed to be at fault for the incident and was given a 180-second stop-and-go penalty.
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“After the start, car 17 went out of track limits on the RHS of the track and then rejoined in an unsafe manner, causing multiple collisions between several cars,” the stewards report read.
“The Stewards agreed that car 17 was at fault in this incident and committed a breach of the regulations.”
Speaking on the broadcast, Martin denied any wrongdoing.
“Obviously I don’t know what they’re complaining about because I didn’t touch anyone,” he said.
“I didn’t have contact with anyone. You can see the car, there is not a single scratch on the car, so I don’t know why they are blaming me because I didn’t touch a single car.
“Yes, I had to go on the right, the Ferrari didn’t let me go so I had to go a bit off track, but I rejoined because there was grass and I rejoined safely.
“I didn’t touch any car, and now we are [blamed for] this. I’m sorry for everyone, but at the end of the day, I have nothing to say.”
Large incidents bookended the race, which ended under Safety Car.
With less than five minutes to go, Kelvin van der Linde in the #32 Team WRT BMW M4 rear-ended Alexey Nesov in the #9 Pure Rxcing Porsche 911 GT3 R approaching the Variante chicane.
Out of control, the Porsche nailed the #97 Rutronik Racing Porsche and Ezequiel Perez in the #25 Sainteloc Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3.
The #9 Pure Rxcing Porsche tipped onto its side off the nose of the #97 Rutronik Porsche, sending it upside down through the chicane.
The #87 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 driven by Marvin Dienst was another innocent victim in the melee after being clipped by the flipping Porsche exiting the chicane.
Commentators were left bemused by the carnage, likening the incidents to popular indie video game WreckFest.
“I can’t believe what I’m watching,” said commentator Joe Osborne.
“Drivers practice iRacing, Assetto Corsa — this has been WreckFest here today.
“I am genuinely speechless at the energy involved there and so happy to hear everyone has walked away from every incident today.
“Wow. What a race.”
For the clash, the #32 Team WRT BMW M4 was given a 155-second post-race penalty, which relegated them to 32nd.
Tresor Attempto Racing were the winners with Silver Cup trio Rocco Mazzola, Ariel Levi and Sebastian Ogaard from 29th on the grid.
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