Alpine Adds F2 Driver Martins to Rookie Test Lineup

Alpine has announced it will run Formula 2 frontrunner Victor Martins in next month’s FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test in Bahrain.

Martins, 23, will get his first taste of the Alpine A424 Le Mans Hypercar in the one-day test on Nov. 3 immediately following the season-closing 8 Hours of Bahrain.

The French driver is best known for his single-seater exploits, having won the 2022 FIA Formula 3 title with ART Grand Prix before stepping up to Formula 2 the following season and finishing fifth overall with a single win to his name.

He already has links to Alpine as he has been a member of the French manufacturer’s Formula 1 young driver scheme since 2021.

“I am super happy with this opportunity, and I am very grateful to Alpine Endurance Team for allowing me to continue learning in the world of motorsport,” said Martins, who sits eighth in the current F2 standings with two rounds to go.

“It is an opportunity for me to continue to build my experience with new engineers and a new car, as well as an opportunity to show my potential.

“Although I am very focused on my single-seater journey, it is a challenge that I accept with pleasure and I hope that we will maximize the rookie test day, both on my side for learning, but also to allow the team to have good data as part of their development.”

Alpine team principal Philippe Sinault said of Martins: “He is an excellent driver we know well, [an] Alpine Academy member and working a lot with the Formula 1 team in the simulator.

“We want to give him a new experience behind the wheel of an endurance prototype and he will be able to bring a fresh perspective to our Hypercar, which is always interesting at this phase of the program.”

The full entry list for the Bahrain rookie test is expected to be announced next week, although Reshad de Gerus and Gillian Henrion were already announced as the WEC organizer’s nominated drivers for the test last month.