Wallace Martins Interview

In Conversation with Wallace Martins

Wallace Martins is a Brazilian Racing Driver who’s competed in a number of different championships over the last few years.

Recently he’s switched things up by becoming a driver coach for those like him who are also hoping to rise up through the ranks of the motorsport world. We caught up to chat about all of this recently, as well as how he came to be a part of Team Brazil’s story as they look to promote Brazilian motorsport talent around the world.

I hope you enjoy our conversation.

What first got you interested in motorsport?

I’ve always loved cars, but what really sparked my passion for motorsports was my first experience with indoor karting.

You competed in the Formula Vee Paulista Championship in 2020 and became Champion that year with five victories along the way. Tell me about this experience from your perspective.

Formula Vee Brazil gave me an incredible experience in terms of my learning. It was a year where I had to work on the mechanical side of the team so that I could continue competing and learn more about the car.

That year I didn’t imagine that I would have such a good result. The beginning of the year was very difficult for me to stay in motorsport, but the results brought me excellent sponsors and through that I managed to become Champion.

You moved into Formula Delta in 2021 – what was the biggest challenge about stepping into this category for you and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge was learning how to handle the car because it was completely new to me. A car with slick tires, where I had to learn a lot and also the drivers in the category were of a very high level. I managed to adapt well in the first stages, but I only overcame this because of a lot of physical training and simulator training. That year I managed to be the rookie runner-up in the Championship.

How did you come across Team Brazil?

I found out about Team Brazil through Instagram ads. I saw that there was a selection process going on and I followed it up, I signed up for it!

You earnt a seat at the Formula Ford Festival and finished 13th overall – but it was also a bit of a what if race. Tell me more about this, the potential you had there and how much further you believe you could have gotten if the final race hadn’t been cut short.

It was a very competitive event from the first races. What an experience! It was very competitive, but I managed to make it all the way to the final. In the final heat, I started in 18th position, and right after the start, on the second lap, a yellow flag appeared, and the race was interrupted. I finished in 13th but I felt very comfortable with the setup in the rain. Together with Swift Cooper, we decided to try a different setup and it worked out really well. Unfortunately, the race ended under a red flag but I felt I could have done much better if there hadn’t been a red flag.

What made you switch to driver coaching and how are you finding it?

Pilot training was a way I found to keep myself working with what I like, and racing.

I’m still looking for sponsorship and supporters to compete again in England. I really enjoy giving training, teaching is a lot of fun and it’s going really well because it’s something I’ve been doing since I was little, and it’s an area I really enjoy.

What are your plans for 2025 and what are your dreams for the future?

My plans are to get support to pursue a career in international motorsport. Returning to compete in Formula Ford would be one of those steps.

What impact do you think drivers like Felipe Drugovich and Gabriel Bortoleto will have on making motorsport in Brazil more accessible?

Having a Brazilian driver on the Formula 1 grid always has a very positive impact, as it shows that it is always possible to get there. This also motivates young people in motorsport, and even big companies to support the base of the sport more.

What advice would you give to the next generation who want to become racing drivers?

Study and train a lot about it, motorsport is always growing in terms of technology and new driving styles. Never stop dreaming, and always chase your dreams!

Tell me about meeting Lewis Hamilton.

It was an incredible moment I never imagined that I would be so close to him one day.

It was only a short time that I could talk to him, but he has a very strong and positive mindset. He told me about the difficulties he had in his career and how he was able to overcome them through his dedication I hope to have more moments like this. It is very good for our learning to have this contact with more experienced people.

Thank you to Wallace for taking the time to chat and best of luck for the rest of 2025.

Author: Thiemo Albers-Daly