WILLIAMS NAMES MARTINS AS F1 TEST AND DEVELOPMENT DRIVER FOR 2026

Williams has confirmed Victor Martins as its official F1 test and development driver for the 2026 season. The 24-year-old, part of the Williams junior program since last year, will play a crucial role in the development of future cars, including the FW48, primarily through the team's driver-in-loop simulator alongside Oliver Turvey and Harrison Scott. Martins made his official F1 practice debut last year at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Despite this promotion, Martins had a challenging 2024 Formula 2 season. After a strong rookie year finishing fifth in 2023, he slipped to eleventh place in the standings, even with two feature race wins. Fellow Williams junior Luke Browning, in his first full F2 year, finished significantly higher. Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets highlighted Martins' "invaluable guidance and feedback" from his recent experience, citing it as key to his impact on future car programs. This appointment underscores Williams' long-term commitment to developing their own talent for a future grid push.