Victor Martins to juggle Alpine WEC seat with Williams F1 test role

Formula 2 race winner Victor Martins will join Alpine’s Hypercar programme in the World Endurance Championship, while assuming the role of test and reserve driver at the Williams Formula 1 team.

Martins spent a large part of his junior career as part of Alpine’s driving academy, winning the Formula 3 title on his second attempt in 2022.

He spent the next two seasons racing in F2 under the Alpine umbrella in 2023-24, before joining forces with Williams last season and making his Formula 1 practice debut at the Spanish Grand Prix.

On Monday, it was announced that Martins will graduate from Williams Driver Academy to become its official test and development driver for 2026, while simultaneously representing Alpine in the top echelon of endurance racing.

Although the French manufacturer hasn’t revealed which of the two A424 LMDh prototypes he will race in the WEC, Martins will essentially fill one of the two vacancies caused by the departures of Mick Schumacher and Paul-Loup Chatin.

“Joining Alpine Endurance Team in the FIA World Endurance Championship is a significant step in my career and a responsibility I take very seriously,” Martins commented. “Alpine is a brand with a strong racing heritage and clear ambitions at the highest level of endurance racing.  

“Competing in my first 24 Hours of Le Mans with this team is a huge motivation, and I’m looking forward to working closely with everyone to push performance, build consistency and contribute to the long-term success of the programme.”

#36 Alpine Endurance Team Alpine A424: Jules Gounon, Victor Martins

Photo by: Shameem Fahath

Martins makes the switch to sportscar racing after three mixed seasons with ART in F2 during which he won three races and scored 17 podiums, but wasn’t able to improve on the fifth-place championship finish from his rookie year.

The Frenchman already has experience of the Oreca-based Alpine LMDh, having taken part in the Bahrain post-season test at the end of 2024 and set the third-quickest time among the rookies.

However, he isn’t entirely leaving single-seaters behind and will support Williams F1 drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz as the series transitions to new regulations this year. His work will include refining the Grove-based outfit’s new driver-in-loop simulator that became functional at the end of last year.

Further, he will help develop a separate sim for Williams’ academy drivers.

“We’re glad to welcome Victor into his new role as Test and Development Driver in 2026,” said Sven Smeets, Williams sporting director.  

“He is a talented driver who has consistently given invaluable guidance and feedback to the team, improving our on-track performance and supporting Alex and Carlos throughout the 2025 season. 

“His recent experience driving the FW47 in Barcelona FP1 and supporting the TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] programme gives him the real-world context to make real impact on the development of the FW48 and future car programmes.”

So far, Alpine has only confirmed that new signing Antonio Felix da Costa to be joining the #35 A424, while Frederic Makowiecki has been listed as returning in the #36 entry.

In 2025, Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg and Charles Milesi raced the #35 car that won at Fuji, while Schumacher, Makowiecki and Guonon piloted the #36 car.

Chatin has departed the team to join Genesis’ new Hypercar programme, while Schumacher has left WEC altogether to race in IndyCar with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.