Victor Martins returns with ART Grand Prix for 2024 campaign

ART Grand Prix have announced that they have retained Victor Martins’ services for the 2024 FIA Formula 2 season, with the Alpine Academy driver set to continue with the French outfit for a third consecutive campaign.

Martins’ relationship with ART extends back to 2020 and has proven a successful one with the Frenchman having won his first championship with the team in the Formula Renault Eurocup that year – winning seven races to go along with 14 podiums that season.

He reunited with the team in 2022 for his second campaign in FIA Formula 3, and enjoyed a successful year as he became ART’s first F3 champion in the modern era after coming out on top in a tight championship battle.

Martins now returns for a second go round in F2 after enjoying a stellar first year in 2023, one which saw him earn the prize of the best rookie, having scored 10 podiums including one victory at Silverstone.

Speaking ahead of his return, Martins could not hide his excitement, as he set his sights on not only improving as a driver but also adding to his and the team’s championship tally in 2024.

“Together with ART Grand Prix, we have a mutual past that is made up of passion and success,” said Martins. “One which has seen the crowning of several titles, I hope to add another in 2024, a decisive season for my development.

“But I will not have my eyes solely focused on the standings: I want to correct mistakes from last year, manage the championship over time and always strive to obtain the best possible result, whether the circumstances are favourable or complicated.

“There is no shortage of serious competitors in this discipline. There is also an element of unknowns with a new car, but I trust ART Grand Prix to make the most out of it. The team supplies me with all the support I need, just like Alpine, and I am holding all the cards I need to achieve my objectives.”

Team Principal Sébastien Philippe shared a similar sentiment to Martins, revealing their goals for the year are not only to help the young driver improve, but to also retain the titles they won for the first time in 2023.

“The collaboration between ART Grand Prix and Victor dates back to 2020 when he was successfully crowned the Formula Renault champion,” reflected Phillipe. “We did a good job and have grown together since then.

“Therefore, I didn’t envisage not continuing our adventure with him. His first year in Formula 2 was very good and very informative. It allowed him to constantly fight for pole positions and victories. In 2024, our common objective will logically be to erase any small mistakes from last season and win the title.”

This fills out ART’s line-up for the year with the French team having previously announced that last year’s F3 runner-up Zak O’Sullivan would be replacing outgoing champion Théo Pourchaire for 2024.