Martins and Maini complete first A522 test in Austria

Alpine Academy drivers Victor Martins and Kush Maini completed their first Formula 1 outing of the year in the A522, running for two days in Spielberg, Austria as a part of Alpine’s young driver test programme.

Both drivers are currently competing in the Formula 2 Championship, meaning the blank space in their calendar ahead of their next round in Barcelona created the perfect opportunity to test out Alpine’s former Formula 1 machinery.

Taking to the Red Bull Ring for their first time in a modern-spec F1 car, Maini led the proceedings on Wednesday, followed by Martins who picked up testing duties on Thursday.

“My first full day in a Formula 1 car is complete in Spielberg. It was a dream come true and it was better than I could have ever imagined it to be,” Maini said.

“I am so grateful to BWT Alpine F1 Team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. 

“The Race Support Team did an incredible job to get me up to speed quickly and have the test run as smoothly as possible, their hard work and effort does not go unnoticed, so a big thank you to them. 

“We completed our run plan successfully and we were able to tick everything off our check list which made for an incredible test. 

“I can not wait for the next one.”

The drivers are no strangers to testing for Alpine, with Maini having previously driven the A521 at the Bahrain International Circuit in 2023, doing so after joining the Alpine Academy in October of last year.

Kush Maini runs in the BWT Alpine F1 Team Young Driver Test Day. Image: BWT Alpine F1 Team.

As for Martins, the Frenchman has participated in three previous days of testing in 2023, driving the A521 at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Spielberg, and Hungaroring.

“It is incredible to get another opportunity to drive in Formula 1 machinery after the three days of testing I did with BWT Alpine F1 Team in 2023,” Martins said. 

“The feeling of being in the car is incredible and the day was really enjoyable thanks to the support of the team on site who worked hard to make it a trouble free test. 

“It was another positive test for me, and it was a great opportunity to learn as much as possible, we maximised the day’s running, going through both qualifying and race simulations. 

“To have the track to myself and get the maximum enjoyment out of the car was an added bonus after a tough start to my Formula 2 season, it certainly reaffirmed my confidence as a driver. 

“Thank you to the team for giving me the chance to drive the A522 around Spielberg. 

“I am looking forward to the next one.”

This week’s test makes up just part of Alpine’s young driver test programme in 2024, with more events conducted by Maini and Martins to follow.

As for their own seasons, the Invicta Racing driver and ART Grand Prix driver will return to the racing scene from June 21-23 in Barcelona for Round 6 of the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

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