Williams sign exciting driver to new role despite taking job outside of F1 | F1 | Sport
Williams have confirmed that Victor Martins will be their test and reserve driver this season, as well as competing in the World Endurance Championship for Alpine.
Martins arrived in Formula Two in 2023 as the reigning Formula Three champion and, after scoring two podiums in the first three races of his rookie year, put together a strong campaign, finishing fifth in the standings and showing moments of real speed.
However, over the following two seasons in F2, he won just two more races, albeit finishing second five times, slipping to seventh and 11th in the standings in 2024 and 2025. Ahead of last season, he departed the Alpine junior programme and linked up with Williams, and now he is set to get experience behind the wheel of F1 machinery.
The 24-year-old will also reunite with his former Alpine colleagues, filling one of the vacancies left by the departures of Mick Schumacher and Paul-Loup Chatin in the French manufacturer’s LMDh prototype seats.
“Joining Alpine Endurance Team in the FIA World Endurance Championship is a significant step in my career and a responsibility I take very seriously,” Martins said after the news was announced.
“Alpine is a brand with a strong racing heritage and clear ambitions at the highest level of endurance racing. Competing in my first 24 Hours of Le Mans with this team is a huge motivation, and I’m looking forward to working closely with everyone to push performance, build consistency and contribute to the long-term success of the programme.”
Alongside his WEC duties, Martins will retain a presence in the F1 paddock, working as Williams’ test and reserve driver next year. The French racer made his FP1 debut at the Spanish Grand Prix last season.
“Williams is an iconic team with an incredible history, and I’m excited to be part of the project to bring this team back to the front of the grid,” Martins declared.
“I’ve already had experience working with Alex [Albon] and Carlos [Sainz] during race weekends, and I’m looking forward to continuing this work with the team in 2026. Thanks to James [Vowles], Sven [Smeets] and everyone at Williams for the opportunity.”
Williams have high hopes for the upcoming 2026 campaign after dedicating the large majority of their 2025 development to the FW48. Vowles’ squad finished an impressive fifth in the Constructors’ Championship standings last year, with Sainz netting the first podium finish of his tenure in Azerbaijan.
