Victor Martins, a closer look at Alpine’s new French hope
The French driver is supported by Alpine for his 2021 Formula 3 year.
Victor Martins finds support again! At 19, the young French driver joins the new Alpine Academy. He is part of the 5 prospects selected on Wednesday, February 10, by the new French team, which replaces the parent company Renault in Formula 1.
For Victor Martins, it is time for a reunion with the Renault fold, which had supported him in 2018 and 2019, before dropping him for the year 2020… and taking him back for the 2021 season!
« No pressure but a very beautiful opportunity »
Champion in the Formula Renault Eurocup last year, Victor Martins is moving up a category, advancing to F3. Born in the Essonne department, the Parisian driver has signed with the MP Motorsport team. This marks a return to a setup he was familiar with during the 2019 season of the Formula Renault Eurocup.
Facing the media this Wednesday, including Motors Inside, Victor Martins said he was attracted by the project of MP Motorsport, a mid-table F3 team that only finished 6th in the constructors’ standings in 2020.
This season will be a real challenge, according to Victor Martins. But I think we have the right people. And the teams will be split between F2 and F3, that’s good news. I know the project, I know what we’re capable of!
Only French driver of the Alpine Academy, after Hadrien David’s departure, Victor Martins is the sole tricolor hope… behind Esteban Ocon in Formula 1. But no pressure for the young man:
« It’s quite a great opportunity to have all this support for physical and mental preparation and to have access to the F1 simulator at Enstone. Normally, I will also have the opportunity to go to F1 weekends to see how it works, talk with Esteban and Fernando (note: Alonso). I hope to be immersed in the project! »
VICTOR MARTINS
???? @FIAFormula3
???? @mpmotorsport_“There’s an opportunity to surround myself with important and inspiring people like the entire F1 team.”
???? 2021 #AlpineAcademy pic.twitter.com/Y17cMS6MdZ
— Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 10, 2021
First F3 race normally scheduled for May 8
Limit of the moment and consequence of the lockdown in England, Victor Martins’ beginnings in the academy are being done remotely. No trip to the Enstone factory scheduled before March or April for the young Frenchman, who will still get into his F3 car on February 25, with a pre-season testing session at the Jerez circuit in Spain.
Once again backed by the support of the Renault-Alpine group, Victor Martins says he is ready for F3. With an anticipated showdown against his teammate Caio Collet, a young Brazilian driver, runner-up in the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2020… behind Martins!
The Frenchman relies notably on his speed in qualifying, his adaptability, and his ability to unite a team.
I learned to handle the pressure: now, I have a good package that allows me to go further, estimates Victor Martins, who now wants to improve his racing pace to have a successful rookie season in Formula 3. First race of the season on Saturday, May 8 at the Barcelona circuit, if the health situation allows!
21 races
7 countries
2 new venuesHere’s how our 2021 looks! #F3 pic.twitter.com/1GG0LunwvR
— Formula 3 (@FIAFormula3) November 10, 2020
