Williams Junior Driver Victor Martins to Debut in F1 Practice Session

Get ready for an exciting debut as Williams junior driver, Victor Martins, gears up to take part in his first official Formula 1 practice session this Friday at the Spanish Grand Prix.

A Mandatory Rookie Experience

This historic moment is made possible by a rule that requires each entry to be driven by a rookie at least twice during the season, amounting to four FP1 outings per team.

Another promising Williams protege, Luke Browning, had his turn behind the wheel at the Bahrain GP, with both youngsters having tested FW45 machinery from the 2023 campaign in Monza earlier last month.

I’m thrilled to be driving the FW47 for the first time in Barcelona!” Martins shared his excitement. “It’s going to be an unforgettable experience to race for the team.” He is determined to make the most of this opportunity, preparing meticulously to ensure a productive session not only for himself but also for the team.

A Proud Moment for Williams Racing

Sporting director Sven Smeets expressed his pride at Martins’ upcoming debut with Williams Racing in Barcelona. “Victor continues to showcase his talent as a driver, and this session is a significant milestone in his career within the Academy,” he said.

The team looks forward to seeing Martins in action this weekend, confident that his preparation through the TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] program and simulator work in Grove has equipped him well for this challenge.

Victor Martins’ Journey So Far

Martins officially joined the Williams family on 31 March, following two tenures in the Alpine Academy. His impressive track record includes winning the Formula Renault Eurocup and Formula 3 titles.

At 23 years old, Martins is currently competing in his third Formula 2 season with ART Grand Prix. Despite demonstrating promising pace, he finds himself eighth in the standings, 37 points behind leader Browning.

Unfortunately, Martins’ progress was hindered by a cancelled Melbourne feature race when he was poised to start from pole position, and being taken out of the main Monaco contest while attempting an overtake for the lead, which led to a massive pile-up last Sunday.