Victor Martins steps into a brand new position as take a look at and growth driver for Williams, alongside racing within the WEC with Alpine.
The Frenchman joined the Williams Academy firstly of 2025 with quite a few accolades to his identify, together with Formulation Renault Eurocup Champion in 2020, FIA Formulation 3 Champion in 2022 and prime rookie in his 2023 FIA Formulation 2 season. All through his three F2 campaigns, he secured a number of wins, most just lately successful the 2025 Qatar Characteristic Race the place he drove to a dominant win from pole.
Taking the subsequent step in his spectacular profession, Martins will graduate from the academy into the take a look at and growth driver position at Williams alongside Oliver Turvey and Harrison Scott. He’ll play a vital position in advancing the workforce’s growth programmes to help Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz as the game enters an unprecedented change in technical rules.
It will embrace refining Williams‘ state-of-the-art driver-in-loop (DIL) simulator which got here on-line on the finish of 2025; all in pursuit of the workforce’s ongoing plans to spend money on the folks, know-how and infrastructure wanted within the pursuit of future World Championship success. He may also be concerned in creating a devoted Academy DIL as a part of the workforce’s dedication to help younger expertise on their path to F1.
„Williams is an iconic workforce with an unimaginable historical past and I am excited to be a part of the undertaking to deliver this workforce again to the entrance of the grid,“ stated Martins. „I’ve already had expertise working with Alex and Carlos throughout race weekends, and I am trying ahead to persevering with this work with the workforce in 2026. Because of James, Sven and everybody at Williams for the chance.“
„We’re glad to welcome Victor into his new position,“ added Sven Smeets, Sporting Director, Williams F1 Staff. „He’s a gifted driver who has persistently given invaluable steerage and suggestions to the workforce, enhancing our on-track efficiency and supporting Alex and Carlos all through the 2025 season.
„His latest expertise driving the FW47 in Barcelona FP1 and supporting the TPC (Testing of Earlier Automobiles) programme offers him the real-world context to make actual influence on the event of the FW48 and future automobile programmes.“
