F1 | Williams announces Victor Martins for the 2026 season: his role within the team
Victor Martins has been promoted to Formula 1 and will become Williams’ new reserve driver from the 2026 season.
The French driver, now a seasoned competitor in Formula 2, finally makes his move into the top category of motorsport. From 2026, Victor Martins will take on the role of test and development driver for the Williams Formula 1 team. The announcement comes on the same day he was also confirmed as part of Alpine’s Endurance programme.
In recent seasons in Formula 2, Martins has not achieved the results many expected. Despite repeatedly showing strong pace and natural speed, a number of factors prevented his talent from fully translating into consistent success. Now, however, he will have the opportunity to contribute at the highest level, supporting the British team and assisting the work of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
The new role for Martins
Williams has confirmed that from the 2026 season, Victor Martins will be the team’s dedicated test and development driver. The Frenchman has been promoted from the Williams Academy and will now work closely with the Formula 1 team to support its ongoing development programme. A key part of his duties will also involve extensive work on the new simulator installed at the Grove-based team’s headquarters in 2025.
“Williams is an iconic team with an incredible history, and I’m thrilled to be part of the project to bring this team back to the front,” said Martins. “I’ve already had the chance to work with Alex and Carlos during race weekends, and I can’t wait to continue this work with the team in 2026. Thanks to James, Sven and everyone at Williams for this opportunity.”
Williams also underlined that Victor Martins will be involved in the development of a dedicated Driver-in-the-Loop programme for the Academy, as part of the team’s wider commitment to supporting young talents on their path to Formula 1. “He is a talented driver who has consistently provided valuable input and feedback to the team, improving our on-track performance and supporting Alex and Carlos throughout the 2025 season,” added Williams F1 Team sporting director Sven Smeets.
The appointment of Victor Martins highlights Williams Racing’s commitment to building a robust support structure around their star lineup of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz. By leveraging Martins’ proven speed and simulator proficiency, the team is ensuring they leave no stone unturned in their quest to climb the grid ahead of the 2026 technical revolution. While his journey in Formula 2 may have been a rollercoaster, this new chapter provides the Frenchman with a vital platform to showcase his technical maturity and remain at the sharp end of elite motorsport.
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