Williams have confirmed a brand new driver appointment forward of the 2026 F1 season.
James Vowles has confirmed a brand new appointment (Picture: Getty)
Williams have confirmed that Victor Martins shall be their take a look at and reserve driver this season, in addition to competing within the World Endurance Championship for Alpine.
Martins arrived in System Two in 2023 because the reigning System Three champion and, after scoring two podiums within the first three races of his rookie 12 months, put collectively a robust marketing campaign, ending fifth within the standings and exhibiting moments of actual pace.
Nevertheless, over the next two seasons in F2, he received simply two extra races, albeit ending second 5 instances, slipping to seventh and eleventh within the standings in 2024 and 2025. Forward of final season, he departed the Alpine junior programme and linked up with Williams, and now he’s set to get expertise behind the wheel of F1 equipment.
The 24-year-old may also reunite together with his former Alpine colleagues, filling one of many vacancies left by the departures of Mick Schumacher and Paul-Loup Chatin within the French producer’s LMDh prototype seats.
“Becoming a member of Alpine Endurance Crew within the FIA World Endurance Championship is a major step in my profession and a accountability I take very significantly,” Martins mentioned after the information was introduced.
“Alpine is a model with a robust racing heritage and clear ambitions on the highest degree of endurance racing. Competing in my first 24 Hours of Le Mans with this staff is a large motivation, and I’m wanting ahead to working carefully with everybody to push efficiency, construct consistency and contribute to the long-term success of the programme.”
Victor Martins shall be Williams’ take a look at and reserve driver (Picture: Getty)
Alongside his WEC duties, Martins will retain a presence within the F1 paddock, working as Williams’ take a look at and reserve driver subsequent 12 months. The French racer made his FP1 debut on the Spanish Grand Prix final season.
“Williams is an iconic staff with an unimaginable historical past, and I’m excited to be a part of the undertaking to convey this staff again to the entrance of the grid,” Martins declared.
“I’ve already had expertise working with Alex [Albon] and Carlos [Sainz] throughout race weekends, and I’m wanting ahead to persevering with this work with the staff in 2026. Due to James [Vowles], Sven [Smeets] and everybody at Williams for the chance.”
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Williams have excessive hopes for the upcoming 2026 marketing campaign after dedicating the massive majority of their 2025 growth to the FW48. Vowles’ squad completed a formidable fifth within the Constructors’ Championship standings final 12 months, with Sainz netting the primary podium end of his tenure in Azerbaijan.
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