Formula 1
Martins joins Williams after Alpine academy exit
Martins has found shelter at Williams as he keeps chasing F1
Ben Vinel
Edited: Mar 31, 2025, 2:11 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
#36 Alpine Endurance Team Alpine A424: Victor Martins
Photo by: FIAWEC - DPPI
Victor Martins has joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy following his recent exit from Alpine’s counterpart.
Martins had been part of the Enstone-based program in 2018-19, then from 2021-24, with a one-year hiatus when he narrowly lost the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup title – and his spot in the academy – to Oscar Piastri.
Although he was eventually crowned in FR Eurocup as well as Formula 3 before being the highest-placed rookie in the 2023 F2 season, Martins failed to capitalise on his experience last year; his sophomore F2 season yielded just seventh position amid misfortune compounded by driving errors.
Martins subsequently left Alpine’s academy. “Let’s say my goal and their goal were not on the same line,” the 23-year-old Frenchman succinctly explained earlier this month.
Martins’ new role at Williams will involve “training and guidance to continue refining his skills on and off the racetrack”. He will also get track time at the wheel of the team’s FW45 car from the 2023 F1 season as early as this weekend in Monza, alongside Luke Browning – another Williams junior.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Victor to the Williams Racing Driver Academy,” sporting director Sven Smeets said. “He has repeatedly demonstrated that he is a talented driver who is capable of winning championships. We will continue to support Victor’s development on and off the track as part of the Academy and look forward to working with him in 2025.”
F2 driver Victor Martins
Photo by: Getty Images
“This is a new chapter for me, but my goal remains the same – to push myself to the limit, both as a person and as a racing driver, and to make it to Formula 1,” Martins added. “Williams is an iconic team with an incredible history, and I’m confident this is the best place to be to help me achieve my goals.
“This year, I’ll put all my focus into winning the Formula 2 drivers’ championship with ART Grand Prix and maximising this opportunity with the Driver Academy both on and off the track. I look forward to working with everyone at Williams as we embark on this new journey together.”
Martins’ goal of reaching F1 sounds like a tall order at the moment, with the influx of precocious rookies on the F1 grid seemingly reducing opportunities further down the line, especially for third-year F2 drivers.
Williams does have a history of taking its proteges all the way to F1. Lance Stroll, Nicholas Latifi, Jack Aitken, Logan Sargeant and Franco Colapinto were all given a chance in the world championship, however short-lived it was for some of them.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Haas Chief cautious of "fundamental issue" with VF-25 despite China success
Next article The challenges Tsunoda needs to overcome at Red Bull
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Ben Vinel
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
6 h
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Fred Vasseur reacts to Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc clash: “It’s a matter of respect”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
7 h
Fred Vasseur reacts to Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc clash: “It’s a matter of respect”
More from
Victor Martins
What life is like as a Williams F1 simulator driver
Formula 1
Formula 1
What life is like as a Williams F1 simulator driver
Victor Martins to juggle Alpine WEC seat with Williams F1 test role
WEC
WEC
Victor Martins to juggle Alpine WEC seat with Williams F1 test role
Victor Martins to make F1 practice debut with Williams at Spanish GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
Victor Martins to make F1 practice debut with Williams at Spanish GP
More from
Williams
Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP
Fernando Alonso blasts driving standards of bottom half of F1 grid
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Fernando Alonso blasts driving standards of bottom half of F1 grid
Latest news
Marc Marquez not celebrating MotoGP title yet: "I don't want to fall into the trap"
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
23 min
Marc Marquez not celebrating MotoGP title yet: "I don't want to fall into the trap"
Kimi Antonelli wants special photo with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on his wall after F1 title
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Kimi Antonelli wants special photo with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on his wall after F1 title
Winners and losers from politically-charged MotoGP Malaysian GP
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
1 h
Winners and losers from politically-charged MotoGP Malaysian GP
Who slept worst last night: Frederic Vasseur
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Who slept worst last night: Frederic Vasseur
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe