The eventful race weekend in Madrid had 20 drivers take part in the Rookie Test at the Circuit del Jarama. After the test, Pit Debrief enjoyed the opportunity of conducting an exclusive interview with Victor Martins.
The French driver previously competed in Formula 2 and is currently racing for Alpine in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The 24-year-old also acts as a test and development driver for the Williams Formula 1 Team.
Martins back to test Formula E with Nissan
Martins is a familiar face at Nissan, having first driven a Formula E car with the team in 2023. First, he took part in the Berlin Rookie test, followed by the Valencia pre-season test ahead of Season 10. Now, he finds himself back in a Formula E car three years on. When asked by Pit Debrief how it feels to be back and whether he could tell if the car had evolved from 2023, Martins said:
“First, for sure I was super happy to have the chance to get back in a Formula E car, back with Nissan, same team as I have been driving with in 2023, so quite a long time ago. I had to get back to this feeling of driving a Formula E car but I think the feeling got back quite quickly. Honestly, after a few laps. The car has not changed massively except that I didn’t drive the Evo, which was the four-wheel drive with the 350, so that’s the biggest difference.
“In the end, after a few laps you adapt quite early. It’s just more comfort, more potential when you get out of corners and more performance. Then, 350 I already tried last time, but it was a two-wheel drive, it was not four, and that’s the biggest difference after. The team for sure is operating a bit differently. There are new people, new faces. The system in the car has changed a bit to improve everything, but in the end it’s quite easy to feel.”
As the Frenchman stated, Madrid was his first experience in the GEN3 Evo car. During the morning Rookie Test session, Martins finished eleventh, and in the afternoon session, he placed fourth.
Looking for a true opportunity in Formula E
In recent years, Formula E has seen a rise in drivers from feeder series entering FE. Martins himself was in Formula 2 and a Formula 3 champion before he switched to endurance racing.
The Alpine driver was positive when asked what made him want to return for another Formula E test.
“I would like a seat, to get to the GEN4, but it requires more tests in the GEN3 Evo. What would make me come back is knowing that I have a true opportunity in GEN4. In the end, for sure I wish I could get more days in the GEN3, for now I still don’t know. The future will tell us. After a test, there is always discussion after of how the day has been, if both parties are happy. It’s always good to show what you can do, show the potential for yourself and seeing how the day goes with the team, so we’ll see in the future.”
Martins open to several paths in the future
Asked a follow-up question on whether he sees his future more in Formula E or endurance racing, Martins remained open to both paths.
“For now, there are many drivers doing both. Da Costa is doing it, he’s one of my teammates, he’s not with me on my car, but he’s driving with Alpine in WEC and he’s doing with Jaguar Formula E. Let’s see if in the future you can still do both. I’m still young, I can afford to do both championships, I have the motivation, I have the dedication to do it and I know that if I have two championships like this, I will do them 200 percent both. So there is no issue and then it’s all about an opportunity if you have and then depending on that, we will see.”
Gaining even more experience across various motorsport categories can only benefit the Frenchman. Having dabbled in various machinery, he can benefit from adding Formula E to his list in recent years. As the driver is only 24-years-old, he still has an open road ahead of him. With his talent and dedication, Martins can be expected to excel in several categories.
