Victor Martins has joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy following his current exit from Alpine’s counterpart.
Martins had been a part of the Enstone-based program in 2018-19, then from 2021-24, with a one-year hiatus when he narrowly misplaced the 2019 Formulation Renault Eurocup title – and his spot within the academy – to Oscar Piastri.
Though he was ultimately topped in FR Eurocup in addition to Formulation 3 earlier than being the highest-placed rookie within the 2023 F2 season, Martins did not capitalise on his expertise final 12 months; his sophomore F2 season yielded simply seventh place amid misfortune compounded by driving errors.
Martins subsequently left Alpine’s academy. “Let’s say my aim and their aim weren’t on the identical line,” the 23-year-old Frenchman succinctly defined earlier this month.
Martins’ new function at Williams will contain “coaching and steering to proceed refining his expertise on and off the racetrack”. He may also get observe time on the wheel of the staff’s FW45 automobile from the 2023 F1 season as early as this weekend in Monza, alongside Luke Browning – one other Williams junior.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Victor to the Williams Racing Driver Academy,” sporting director Sven Smeets mentioned. “He has repeatedly demonstrated that he’s a gifted driver who’s able to profitable championships. We are going to proceed to help Victor’s growth on and off the observe as a part of the Academy and stay up for working with him in 2025.”
F2 driver Victor Martins
Picture by: Getty Photos
“This can be a new chapter for me, however my aim stays the identical – to push myself to the restrict, each as an individual and as a racing driver, and to make it to Formulation 1,” Martins added. “Williams is an iconic staff with an unbelievable historical past, and I’m assured that is the perfect place to be to assist me obtain my targets.
“This 12 months, I’ll put all my focus into profitable the Formulation 2 drivers’ championship with ART Grand Prix and maximising this chance with the Driver Academy each on and off the observe. I stay up for working with everybody at Williams as we embark on this new journey collectively.”
Martins’ aim of reaching F1 seems like a tall order for the time being, with the inflow of precocious rookies on the F1 grid seemingly lowering alternatives additional down the road, particularly for third-year F2 drivers.
Williams does have a historical past of taking its proteges all the best way to F1. Lance Stroll, Nicholas Latifi, Jack Aitken, Logan Sargeant and Franco Colapinto had been all given an opportunity on the planet championship, nonetheless short-lived it was for a few of them.
On this article
Ben Vinel
Formulation 1
FIA F2
Victor Martins
Williams
Alpine
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