F1: Martins appointed take a look at and growth driver at Williams

Victor Martins steps into a brand new function as take a look at and growth driver for Williams, alongside racing within the WEC with Alpine.

The Frenchman joined the Williams Academy firstly of 2025 with quite a few accolades to his title, together with Components Renault Eurocup Champion in 2020, FIA Components 3 Champion in 2022 and high rookie in his 2023 FIA Components 2 season. All through his three F2 campaigns, he secured a number of wins, most just lately profitable the 2025 Qatar Characteristic Race the place he drove to a dominant win from pole.

Taking the following step in his spectacular profession, Martins will graduate from the academy into the take a look at and growth driver function at Williams alongside Oliver Turvey and Harrison Scott. He’ll play a vital function in advancing the workforce’s growth programmes to help Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz as the game enters an unprecedented change in technical laws.

This may embody refining Williams’ state-of-the-art driver-in-loop (DIL) simulator which got here on-line on the finish of 2025; all in pursuit of the workforce’s ongoing plans to spend money on the folks, know-how and infrastructure wanted within the pursuit of future World Championship success. He may even be concerned in creating a devoted Academy DIL as a part of the workforce’s dedication to help younger expertise on their path to F1.

“Williams is an iconic workforce with an unbelievable historical past and I am excited to be a part of the venture to carry this workforce again to the entrance of the grid,” mentioned Martins. “I’ve already had expertise working with Alex and Carlos throughout race weekends, and I am wanting ahead to persevering with this work with the workforce in 2026. Because of James, Sven and everybody at Williams for the chance.”

“We’re glad to welcome Victor into his new function,” added Sven Smeets, Sporting Director, Williams F1 Workforce. “He’s a proficient driver who has constantly given invaluable steerage and suggestions to the workforce, bettering 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 Earlier Vehicles) programme offers him the real-world context to make actual impression on the event of the FW48 and future automotive programmes.”