Formulation 2 race winner will be a part of ’s Hypercar programme within the World Endurance Championship, whereas assuming the function of check and reserve driver on the Formulation 1 workforce.
Martins spent a big a part of his junior profession as a part of Alpine’s driving academy, profitable the Formulation 3 title on his second try in 2022.
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He spent the subsequent two seasons racing in F2 beneath the Alpine umbrella in 2023-24, earlier than becoming a member of forces with Williams final season and making his Formulation 1 observe debut on the Spanish Grand Prix.
On Monday, it was introduced that Martins will graduate from Williams Driver Academy to change into its official check and growth driver for 2026, whereas concurrently representing Alpine within the prime echelon of endurance racing.
Though the French producer hasn’t revealed which of the 2 A424 LMDh prototypes he’ll race within the WEC, Martins will basically fill one of many two vacancies attributable to the departures of and .
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“Becoming a member of Alpine Endurance Workforce within the FIA World Endurance Championship is a big step in my profession and a duty I take very critically,” Martins commented. “Alpine is a model with a powerful racing heritage and clear ambitions on the highest degree of endurance racing.
“Competing in my first 24 Hours of Le Mans with this workforce is a big 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.”
#36 Alpine Endurance Workforce Alpine A424: Jules Gounon, Victor Martins
#36 Alpine Endurance Workforce Alpine A424: Jules Gounon, Victor Martins
Martins makes the change to sportscar racing after three combined seasons with ART in F2 throughout which he gained three races and scored 17 podiums, however wasn’t capable of enhance on the fifth-place championship end from his rookie 12 months.
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The Frenchman already has expertise of the Oreca-based Alpine LMDh, having taken half within the Bahrain post-season check on the finish of 2024 and set the third-quickest time among the many rookies.
Nonetheless, he isn’t completely leaving single-seaters behind and can assist Williams F1 drivers and because the sequence transitions to new rules this 12 months. His work will embody refining the Grove-based outfit’s new driver-in-loop simulator that grew to become practical on the finish of final 12 months.
Additional, he’ll assist develop a separate sim for Williams’ academy drivers.
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“We’re glad to welcome Victor into his new function as Take a look at and Growth Driver in 2026,” mentioned Sven Smeets, Williams sporting director.
“He’s a proficient driver who has persistently given invaluable steering 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 Previous Cars] programme offers him the real-world context to make actual impression on the event of the FW48 and future automobile programmes.”
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Learn Additionally:
Up to now, Alpine has solely confirmed that new signing to be becoming a member of the #35 A424, whereas has been listed as returning within the #36 entry.
In 2025, Chatin, and raced the #35 automobile that gained at Fuji, whereas Schumacher, Makowiecki and Guonon piloted the #36 automobile.
Chatin has departed the workforce to hitch Genesis’ new Hypercar programme, whereas Schumacher has left WEC altogether to race in IndyCar with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
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