Williams made a late change to its driver line-up ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, naming Victor Martins as reserve driver at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve after Luke Browning was pulled out for Super Formula duty in Japan.

The 24-year-old French driver steps in at a moment that matters for Williams because it returns him to a grand prix weekend for the first time in nearly a year. Martins had been serving as a test and development driver for the team this season, working away from the track while Williams prepared for race weekends from the factory.

A Williams spokesperson said Martins joined the team as a member of the Atlassian Williams F1 Team Driver Academy in early 2025 before moving into the Test & Development Driver role in 2026. The team said he had been working closely with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz from the factory, helping with car development and setup refinement during race weekends. Williams also said this is his first trackside assignment since he drove in first practice at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix.

That makes the Canadian Grand Prix more than a simple substitution. Browning's absence is explained by his entry in the fourth round of the Super Formula Championship, but for Martins it is a chance to move back into the pit lane after months in a support role. The change also gives Williams another look at a driver it has already been using behind the scenes to shape the car.

For Martins, the return is immediate and visible. For Williams, it is a reminder that reserve work is not just about sitting ready for emergencies; it is also part of the team's race-by-race preparation, and in Montreal the person filling that role is a driver who has already spent the year helping build the package from the factory up.