Martins joins Williams after Alpine Academy exit

Victor Martins has joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy following his latest exit from Alpine’s counterpart.

Martins had been a part of the Enstone-based programme in 2018-19, then from 2021-24, with a one-year hiatus when he narrowly misplaced the 2019 Components Renault Eurocup title – and his spot within the academy – to Oscar Piastri.

Though he was finally topped in FR Eurocup, in addition to 2022 Components 3 champion, earlier than being the highest-placed rookie within the 2023 F2 season, Martins did not capitalise on his expertise final yr; his sophomore F2 season yielded simply seventh place amid misfortune compounded by driving errors.

Martins subsequently left Alpine’s academy. “Let’s say my aim and their aim weren’t on the identical line,” the 23-year-old Frenchman succinctly defined earlier this month.

Martins’ new position at Williams will contain “coaching and steerage to proceed refining his abilities on and off the racetrack”. He can even get observe time on the wheel of the group’s FW45 automotive from the 2023 F1 season as early as this weekend in Monza, alongside Luke Browning – one other Williams junior.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Victor to the Williams Racing Driver Academy,” sporting director Sven Smeets mentioned. “He has repeatedly demonstrated that he’s a proficient driver who’s able to profitable championships. We’ll proceed to help Victor’s improvement on and off the observe as a part of the Academy and stay up for working with him in 2025.”

 “It is a new chapter for me, however my aim stays the identical – to push myself to the restrict, each as an individual and as a racing driver, and to make it to Components 1,” Martins added. “Williams is an iconic group with an unbelievable historical past, and I’m assured that is one of the best place to be to assist me obtain my targets.

“This yr, I’ll put all my focus into profitable the Components 2 drivers’ championship with ART Grand Prix and maximising this chance with the Driver Academy each on and off the observe. I stay up for working with everybody at Williams as we embark on this new journey collectively.”

Martins’ aim of reaching F1 feels like a tall order in the mean time, with the inflow of precocious rookies on the F1 grid seemingly lowering alternatives additional down the road, particularly for third-year F2 drivers.

Williams does have a historical past of taking its proteges all the way in which to F1. Lance Stroll, Nicholas Latifi, Jack Aitken, Logan Sargeant and Franco Colapinto have been all given an opportunity on the earth championship, nonetheless short-lived it was for a few of them.