Williams will have an important change behind the scenes this Formula 1 weekend at the Canadian GP. The team confirmed that Victor Martins will be on standby as a reserve driver during the event in Montreal.
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The change happens because Luke Browning, the usual reserve for the British team, will be in Japan to compete in the Super Formula round in Suzuka. As a result, Martins takes on a more active role alongside Williams at the Canadian circuit.
The Frenchman, who was part of Alpine’s academy in the past, became part of Williams’ development program at the beginning of 2025. Currently, he competes in the World Endurance Championship for the French manufacturer and started the 2026 season with two consecutive 11th place finishes, in Imola and Spa.
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Martins has also had track activities in Formula 1. Last year, he participated in the FP1 of the Spanish GP in Barcelona before being promoted to the role of test and development driver for 2026. Since then, he has been working directly with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, assisting with simulator work, development, and car setup.
The Frenchman’s presence comes at an important time for Williams, which is trying to recover after a difficult start to the 2026 season. In Miami, the team achieved a more positive result, with Sainz finishing ninth and Albon closing the race in tenth position.
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