Victor Martins to make F1 weekend debut as Williams confirm F2 racer for FP1 in Barcelona

Williams have confirmed that Victor Martins will participate in an F1 race weekend for the first time at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix by getting behind the wheel of the FW47 during Free Practice 1.

Martins – who joined the Williams Driver Academy in March – is currently competing in his third Formula 2 season, during which he has so far scored a podium for ART Grand Prix in the Saudi Arabia Feature Race as well as taking pole position in Melbourne.

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The Frenchman previously won a closely-fought title fight in the 2022 Formula 3 campaign, beating drivers including Isack Hadjar and Ollie Bearman to take the crown at the Monza season finale.

Following his progression to F2, Martins helped the ART Grand Prix to secure their first F2 Teams’ title in 2023 and went on to claim five podiums in 2024, which included a victory in Barcelona.

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 23: Victor Martins of France and ART Grand Prix (14) on track during — Martins is currently competing in his third Formula 2 season with ART Grand Prix

In preparation for his FP1 debut, Martins took part in the TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) programme in Monza earlier this year where he drove the FW45 alongside fellow Williams Racing Academy driver Luke Browning.

“I’m super happy to be taking the wheel of the FW47 for the first time in Barcelona!” said Martins. “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.

“I’m hugely grateful to everyone at Atlassian Williams Racing for giving me this opportunity and I’m looking forward to enjoying every second of it!”

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Sven Smeets, Sporting Director at Williams, added: “We’re proud that Victor will be taking part in his first Formula 1 session with Atlassian 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 programme and simulator work in Grove have prepared him well and we look forward to seeing him in the garage this weekend.”

Martins’ FP1 appearance will mark the second of the team’s four mandated young driver sessions of the season, with Browning having previously been in action during first practice in Bahrain.