Victor Martins to make F1 practice debut with Williams at Spanish GP
French driver Victor Martins will drive Alexander Albon’s car in the first practice session at Barcelona
Victor Martins, ART Grand Prix
Photo by: Formula Masters Asia
Williams junior Victor Martins will drive in an official Formula 1 practice session for the first time on Friday at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Martins will take the wheel of Alexander Albon’s FW47 car, benefitting from the rule stating that each entry must be driven by a rookie at least twice over the season – totalling four FP1 outings per team.
Another Williams protege, Luke Browning, was in action on Friday at the Bahrain GP – with both youngsters having tested FW45 machinery from the 2023 campaign in Monza early last month.
“I’m super happy to be taking the wheel of the FW47 for the first time in Barcelona!” Martins commented. “It will be an incredible experience to drive for the team.
“I’m working hard to prepare as much as possible to maximise my time in the car and make it a valuable session for myself and the team.”
Alexander Albon, Williams
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Sporting director Sven Smeets added: “We’re proud that Victor will be taking part in his first Formula 1 session with Williams Racing in Barcelona. He continues to demonstrate that he is a talented driver, and this session is an important step forward in his career as part of the Academy.
“His participation in our TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] programme and simulator work in Grove have prepared him well and we look forward to seeing him in the garage this weekend.”
Martins officially joined the Williams fold on 31 March after two stints in the Alpine Academy, having won Formula Renault Eurocup and Formula 3 titles in the past.
The 23-year-old Frenchman is contesting his third Formula 2 season with ART Grand Prix, but has largely failed to convert his pace into results, meaning he sits just eighth in the standings – 37 points down on leader Browning.
The Melbourne feature race was cancelled when Martins was due to start from pole position, and he was taken out of the main Monaco contest as he was completing an overtake for the lead, which triggered a monumental pile-up last Sunday.
Victor Martins, ART Grand Prix
Photo by: Formula Motorsport Ltd
Share Or Save This Story
How the #8 Toyota lost the 2026 Le Mans 24 Hours
Le Mans race-ending Cadillac failure is a “dagger in the heart” – Sebastien Bourdais
How Romain Dumas is walking in the footsteps of other Le Mans legends
Victor Martins to juggle Alpine WEC seat with Williams F1 test role
Martins joins Williams after Alpine academy exit
The Alpine F1 junior who considers top F2 rookie status “average”
James Vowles supports McLaren and Red Bull over Pierre Gasly Monaco GP appeal
James Vowles reveals when Williams should unlock FW48's full potential
Where you can find the best battles of F1 2026
Winners and losers from a somewhat predictable NASCAR Cup race at Pocono
Revised gravel tyre set for WRC debut in Greece
#12 Cadillac admits Le Mans win was unlikely but rues costly FCY
How GM is perfecting their sim tools for the unknowns of San Diego, Chicagoland
What next for Honda now its engine is confirmed as F1's weakest?
What were the chances of Hamilton winning in Barcelona without the virtual safety car?
Can Lewis Hamilton now fight for the F1 world title with Ferrari? Our writers have their say
What does Kimi Antonelli still need to improve to become F1 world champion?
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.
Top Comments