F2 charger Victor Martins joins Williams Driver Academy

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Williams has bolstered its talent pipeline with the addition of French hopeful Victor Martins to the Williams Racing Driver Academy.

The 2022 FIA Formula 3 Champion and former Alpine junior joins a growing roster of promising drivers, marking the latest step in the 23-year-old’s journey toward Formula 1.

Martins, currently competing in Formula 2 with ART Grand Prix, brings an impressive resume to the Academy.

After securing the FIA Formula 3 title in 2022 with two wins and six podiums, he progressed to Formula 2 in 2023, where he was the top rookie and helped ART Grand Prix clinch the Teams’ Championship.

In 2024, Martins continued with ART, securing five podium finishes and a Barcelona Sprint race victory.

The Frenchman’s signing underscores Williams’ ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent, a tradition recently exemplified by Franco Colapinto’s graduation to an F1 race seat in 2024.

“I’m super happy to be joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy!” commented Martins.

“This is a new chapter for me, but my goal remains the same – to push myself to the limit, both as a person and as a racing driver, and to make it to Formula 1.

“Williams is an iconic team with an incredible history, and I’m confident this is the best place to be to help me achieve my goals.

“This year, I’ll put all my focus into winning the Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship with ART Grand Prix and maximising this opportunity with the Driver Academy both on and off the track. I look forward to working with everyone at Williams as we embark on this new journey together."

Williams’ Continued Commitment to Young Drivers

Martins will continue competing in Formula 2 with ART Grand Prix, joining fellow Williams Academy driver Luke Browning (Hitech GP) in the series. Both drivers will participate in Williams’ Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme, driving the FW45 at Monza.

Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets expressed enthusiasm about Martins’ arrival:

"We’re thrilled to welcome Victor to the Williams Racing Driver Academy. He has repeatedly demonstrated that he is a talented driver who is capable of winning championships.

We will continue to support Victor’s development on and off the track as part of the Academy and look forward to working with him in 2025."

With a strong track record and a clear path towards Formula 1, Martins’ addition to the Williams Academy signals another promising step in his career.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.