Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
Victor Martins believes Alpine would have no reason not to give him a shot at racing in Formula 1 should he meet the team’s targets for him in Formula 2.
The 22-year-old was a Renault junior through 2018 and ’19, then after winning the 2020 Formula Renault Eurocup with ART Grand Prix rejoined the rebranded Alpine Academy.
Martins became FIA Formula 3 champion with ART GP in 2022, and stayed with them for his graduation to F2 last year. He came third on debut, finished second and took pole in round two, then later in the season collected two poles, a feature race win at Silverstone and six other podiums to come fifth in the standings.
That year he also did Formula E’s rookie test with Nissan, and a private F1 test with Alpine.
Martins’ results made him one of F2’s 2024 title favourites, but after three rounds he sits 18th in the standings with six points. However he is “not concerned” about his difficult start to the season and is still aiming for the title. Should he achieve that, he believes doors will open in F1.
“I will say I’m only seeing an opportunity if I succeed, if I do well in F2. And that means it’s down to the work I will do, to the results I will show, and nothing else,” he said.
“Actually I don’t see an opportunity if I don’t succeed in F2. So I’m not actually focusing on it right now. I’m just trying to do the best job possible on my second year to show my potential. And I know that if I do the thing I should do and the result we all set, I will have an opportunity, I will have a chance for sure. Because I don’t see myself – if I do the result they are setting me, I don’t see why I will not get a chance in F1.
“But in the end it’s all the same for everyone. It’s down to the result and the goals that you need to achieve. And in my case is be able to fight for the championship and get it at the end.”
Oscar Piastri won the FIA F3 and F2 titles back-to-back as an Alpine junior, but was initially overlooked for an F1 seat with the team. By the time Alpine decided they wanted to promote him eight months later, Piastri had already set his eyes on an F1 career with McLaren instead.
Martins’ fellow Alpine junior Jack Doohan came sixth in his rookie F2 season, and was made Alpine’s reserve driver while spending another two years in F2. He was third in the 2023 standings, and is currently not racing as he continues his reserve duties.
He sits ahead of Martins in the Alpine F1 seat queue, with the team’s two current drivers out of contract at the end of 2024.
Martins says he is “not having any pressure”, with F2’s 14-round season providing plenty of recovery opportunities in his drive for the title and therefore a desired F1 future.