Victor Martins set for F1 debut during practice at Spanish Grand Prix

Williams Academy driver Victor Martins will make his Formula 1 debut later this week, as he will slide into the FW47 and replace Carlos Sainz Jr. in the first practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Martins is currently in his third season in Formula 2, where he drivers for ART Grand Prix. He finished fifth in the F2 Drivers’ Championship during his debut season in 2023, notching a win in the feature race at the British Grand Prix. Martins finished seventh in the F2 Drivers’ Championship last season.

He also won the F3 Drivers’ Championship during the 2022 season, with wins in the feature race at both the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the site of this week’s Spanish Grand Prix.

“I’m super happy to be taking the wheel of the FW47 for the first time in Barcelona! It will be an incredible experience to drive for the team. I’m working hard to prepare as much as possible to maximize my time in the car and make it a valuable session for myself and the team,” said Martins. “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!”

“We’re proud that Victor will be taking part in his first Formula 1 session with Atlassian Williams Racing in Barcelona,” said Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets. “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.”