The Williams F1 Team have officially strengthened its 2026 lineup by appointing Victor Martins, a Driver Academy graduate, to the role of Test and Development Driver. Additionally, the Frenchman will balance this new responsibility at Grove with a racing seat in the FIA World Endurance Championship alongside the Alpine Endurance Team.
A proven track record
Martins joined the Williams Academy at the start of 2025 with an impressive resume. His trophy cabinet includes the 2020 Formula Renault Eurocup and 2022 FIA Formula 3 titles. He also earned top rookie honours during the 2023 FIA Formula 2 season.
Over three campaigns in F2, Martins secured several high-profile victories, truly establishing himself as a future star. His most recent triumph occurred at the 2025 Qatar Feature Race. There, he converted a pole position into a dominant win.
Driving the technical revolution
Martins joins a specialised team alongside Oliver Turvey and Harrison Scott in this new capacity. He will play a crucial role in advancing Williams’ development programmes to support current F1 drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz. With the 2026 technical reset, it is imperative that the team strengthen their core team especially.
Specifically, Martins will focus on refining the state-of-the-art driver-in-loop (DIL) simulator that came online at the end of 2025. This work supports the team’s investment in people and technology. These advancements are vital for future World Championship success.
Speaking on the appointment, Victor Martins expressed his enthusiasm for the legendary British F1 team:
“Williams is an iconic team with an incredible history and I’m excited to be part of the project to bring this team back to the front of the grid. I’ve already had experience working with Alex [Albon] and Carlos [Sainz] during race weekends, and I’m looking forward to continuing this work with the team in 2026. Thanks to James, Sven and everyone at Williams for the opportunity.”
Real-world impact and future growth
Williams values Martins for his technical feedback and adaptability across different racing disciplines. Beyond these duties, he will help develop a dedicated Academy DIL as part of the team’s commitment to supporting young talent.
Moreover, Martins already possesses significant experience with the team after driving the FW47 during the Barcelona FP1 session. He also supported the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme.
Sven Smeets, Sporting Director at Williams F1 Team, praised Martins’ transition from the Academy:
“We’re glad to welcome Victor into his new role as Test and Development Driver in 2026. He is a talented driver who has consistently given invaluable guidance and feedback to the team, improving our on-track performance and support Alex and Carlos throughout the 2025 season. His recent experience driving the FW47 in Barcelona FP1 and supporting the TPC programme gives him the real-world context to make real impact on the development of the FW48 and future car programmes.”
Ultimately, this appointment signals Williams’ continued investment in elite talent as they navigate F1’s upcoming regulatory reset. By integrating Martins into the heart of their development cycle, the team ensures they remain at the cutting edge of simulator and track-side correlation.
