Just a few years ago, Victor Martins was one of the hottest prospects in Formula 3. The Frenchman won the championship in his second year in the competition (2022), after finishing as the top rookie in 2021.
From 2018, Martins was supported by the Renault Sport Group, but was released from the programme in 2019. When Renault rebranded as Alpine, they re-signed the Frenchman, who then took part in test runs in the Formula 1 car.
Despite impressing in the junior formulas, Martins was dropped by Alpine before the beginning of the 2025 season. This left him without a sponsor for his third Formula 2 season with ART Grand Prix.
Williams picked up the talented Frenchman and, as they say, the rest was history.
Martins becomes Williams test driver
Williams have confirmed that Martins will now step into a role within the Formula 1 team. He becomes the Test and Development Driver for the 2026 season, following his graduation from the Williams academy.
Oliver Turkey and Harrison Scott will take up a similar role for Williams. This division of responsibilities allows Martins to also focus on his World Endurance Championship for Alpine.
In an official press release, Williams said: “[Martins will] play a crucial role in advancing the team’s development programmes to support our F1 drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz as the sport enters an unprecedented change in technical regulations”.
Martins could be crucial to Williams’ fight to move up the grid, following an impressive end to the season. Carlos Sainz’s podium place in Qatar helped Williams to a fifth-placed finish in the Constructors’ Championship.
However, James Vowles will be hungry for more after leaving Mercedes in December 2022.
The young driver programme will likely offer Martins further free practice opportunities in 2026. His first F1 session came in place of Alex Albon at Barcelona last year, so he will still qualify for the quota next season.
When his new F1 role was confirmed, Martins said: “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.
“I’ve already had experience working with Alex and Carlos during race weekends, and I’m looking forward to continuing this work with the team in 2026.
“Thanks to [Team Principal] James Vowles, Sven [Smeets, Sporting Director] and everyone at Williams for the opportunity.”
Williams’ Sporting Director Sven Smeets went on to say: “[Victor] is a talented driver who has consistently given invaluable guidance and feedback to the team, improving our on-track performance and supporting Alex and Carlos throughout the 2025 season.
“His recent experience driving the FW47 in Barcelona FP1 and supporting the TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) programme gives him the real-world context to make real impact on the development of the FW48 and future car programmes.”
Is the F1 dream over?
While Martins’ new role gives him an opportunity to drive a 2026 Formula 1 car, he is unlikely to participate in a full race weekend without injury or illness to Albon or Sainz.
Both full-time drivers have fought with appendicitis in recent years, so that’s one chance less for the young Frenchman. Jokes aside, Martins’ time in the car will mostly come away from the F1 spectators, in testing and simulator work.
Few drivers have made the move from WEC back to Formula 1, but Kevin Magnussen’s recent spell with BMW before returning to Haas will give Martins confidence that it’s not impossible.
Other notable drivers to race in WEC in 2025 include Jenson Button, Kamui Kobayashi, Norman Nato, and Stoffel Vandoorne.
Main photo: Alpine F1 Media Gallery
