Formula 1 has been notoriously difficult to get into, especially for young Formula 2 drivers who are looking to prove their worth.
But the 2025 season will take a big step towards changing that, with three rookies confirmed on the grid in Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman and Jack Doohan, while Franco Colapinto made his debut in 2024 with Williams.
But F1 remains a tough sport to enter, and this has been especially the case for those who succeed in Formula 2. Only one of the last five champions have made it straight to F1; that being Mick Schumacher who won the title in 2020.
In many cases, drivers part of an academy stand a better chance than others when a seat becomes available at their respective teams. But for one F2 driver part of an academy, their chances of reaching F1 may be slim to none.
Victor Martins is ‘unlikely’ to reach F1 after a third year in Formula 2
Victor Martins is currently in his sophomore year in F2 with ART Grand Prix. The Frenchman was promoted by the team from Formula 3 after he won the title in 2022.
Martins finished his debut F2 season in an impressive fifth, claiming his first win in the Feature Race at Silverstone, as well as nine podiums.
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The 23-year-old has so far matched his one victory in 2024 with a win in the Sprint Race at Catalunya, but he has faced a more difficult campaign than the year prior.
While Martins has grabbed five podiums, points have been irregular this season and with six retirements thus far, he currently sits eighth in the standings.
The Frenchman is part of the Alpine Academy and will certainly be looking for his chance to move up to F1 with the team. But according to journalist Joe Saward, Martins is ‘unlikely’ to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.
Saward wrote in his blog that the 23-year-old will ‘probably’ stay at ART for a third year in F2 next year alongside Ritomo Miyata, but this will be enough to reach F1.
“Another Alpine youngster who is yet to be confirmed next year is Victor Martins who is currently eighth in the Formula 2 Championship. He is quick, but a third year in Formula 2 is unlikely to get him into F1,” he said.
“He will probably stay at ART, alongside Toyota’s Ritomo Miyata.”
How likely is it that Victor Martins can reach Formula 1?
Martins’ F1 prospects will probably be dependent on an opportunity opening up at Alpine. Otherwise, he may have to leave the team and explore other options on the grid.
Alpine will be handing Jack Doohan his debut in 2025, but it is expected that he will be only contracted for that year. Being their academy driver, Martins will be looking at the situation and hoping something comes up.
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However, Paul Aron is set to replace Doohan as Alpine’s reserve driver in 2025 and will therefore be ahead of Martins in the pecking order if the Aussie is to move on after next year.
Perhaps the only way to get the team’s attention for a future F1 seat is to win the F2 title next year. Martins has the ability to win races, but as history has shown, even winning the championship may not be enough for the Frenchman to get his chance.