System 2 race winner Victor Martins will be part of Alpine’s Hypercar programme within the World Endurance Championship, whereas assuming the position of check and reserve driver on the Williams System 1 group.
Martins spent a big a part of his junior profession as a part of Alpine’s driving academy, profitable the System 3 title on his second try in 2022.
He spent the following two seasons racing in F2 underneath the Alpine umbrella in 2023-24, earlier than becoming a member of forces with Williams final season and making his System 1 observe debut on the Spanish Grand Prix.
On Monday, it was introduced that Martins will graduate from Williams Driver Academy to turn into its official check and improvement driver for 2026, whereas concurrently representing Alpine within the high 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 brought on by the departures of Mick Schumacher and Paul-Loup Chatin.
“Becoming a member of Alpine Endurance Staff within the FIA World Endurance Championship is a major step in my profession and a accountability I take very critically,” Martins commented. “Alpine is a model with a robust racing heritage and clear ambitions on the highest stage of endurance racing.
“Competing in my first 24 Hours of Le Mans with this group is a large motivation, and I’m trying ahead to working intently with everybody to push efficiency, construct consistency and contribute to the long-term success of the programme.”
#36 Alpine Endurance Staff Alpine A424: Jules Gounon, Victor Martins
Photograph by: Shameem Fahath
Martins makes the change to sportscar racing after three blended seasons with ART in F2 throughout which he received three races and scored 17 podiums, however wasn’t in a position to enhance on the fifth-place championship end from his rookie yr.
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 totally leaving single-seaters behind and can help Williams F1 drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz because the collection transitions to new rules this yr. His work will embrace refining the Grove-based outfit’s new driver-in-loop simulator that grew to become practical on the finish of final yr.
Additional, he’ll assist develop a separate sim for Williams’ academy drivers.
“We’re glad to welcome Victor into his new position as Take a look at and Improvement Driver in 2026,” stated Sven Smeets, Williams sporting director.
“He’s a proficient driver who has persistently given invaluable steering and suggestions to the group, bettering our on-track efficiency and supporting Alex and Carlos all through the 2025 season.
“His current expertise driving the FW47 in Barcelona FP1 and supporting the TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] programme provides him the real-world context to make actual impression on the event of the FW48 and future automobile programmes.”
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Up to now, Alpine has solely confirmed that new signing Antonio Felix da Costa to be becoming a member of the #35 A424, whereas Frederic Makowiecki has been listed as returning within the #36 entry.
In 2025, Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg and Charles Milesi raced the #35 automobile that received at Fuji, whereas Schumacher, Makowiecki and Guonon piloted the #36 automobile.
Chatin has departed the group 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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