Maxime Martin

Maxime Martin is a Belgian professional racing driver and son of four-time Spa 24 Hours winner Jean-Michel Martin. He is currently a factory driver for Mercedes-AMG set to compete in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship with Iron Lynx. Martin had previously been a BMW factory driver between 2013 and 2017, racing full-time in the American [Le Mans Series] for BMW Team RLL in 2013, as well as acting as BMW's DTM test and reserve driver. In late 2013 at BMW Motorsport's yearly review, Martin was confirmed as a full-time BMW DTM driver for the 2014 season. In 2018 Martin joined Aston Martin Racing for which he competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship between 2018 and 2020.

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Early career

Born in Uccle, Martin finished fourth in 2006 in the Formula Renault 1.6 Belgium series. In 2007, he began racing in the Eurocup Mégane Trophy, finishing third overall with one victory. The following year, he finished as runner-up, with six wins. He also won the French Renault Clio Cup title. In 2009, he raced mainly in the FIA GT3 European Championship for AutoGT Racing in a Morgan Aero 8, winning at Silverstone.

Sportscar racing

For 2010, Martin began racing in the new FIA GT1 World Championship for the Marc VDS Racing Team in a Ford GT. Along with teammate Bas Leinders he scored two podium finishes and ended the season 14th in the standings. In 2011, Martin teamed with Frédéric Makowiecki to win four races, including both rounds at Ordos. Between 2011 and 2013, Martin raced in the Blancpain Endurance Series mainly driving a BMW Z4 GT3 also for the Marc VDS Racing Team. His best result came in 2012, where he finished runner-up together with his teammates Bas Leinders and Markus Palttala.

BMW factory driver (2013–2017)

After strong results in the Blancpain Endurance Series driving the BMW Z4 GT3, Martin was promoted to a factory driver for 2013. In 2013, Martin mainly competed in the American Le Mans Series with BMW Team RLL in the all new BMW Z4 GTE. He and his team mate Bill Auberlen won in only the second race and finished sixth in the Drivers' standings.
In 2014, Martin made his debut in the DTM championship for BMW. He won a race at the Moscow Raceway, the first victory for a Belgian in the DTM. In 2015, he won another race, this time at the Nürburgring. In 2016, he only managed to finish twice on the podium, and ended the year winless. 2017 was his most successful season yet in the DTM, ending the season with one victory and four podiums.
In 2016, Martin won the Spa 24 Hours together with Alexander Sims and Philipp Eng, driving a BMW M6 GT3. By winning this race, he followed in the footsteps of his father Jean-Michel Martin, who won the race four times, and his uncle Philippe, who won twice alongside Jean-Michel.

Aston Martin Racing factory driver (2018–2022)

In late 2017, Martin announced he would leave BMW after five years as a factory driver. He later announced he would join Aston Martin Racing as a factory driver to race in the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship. In September 2020, Martin won the 2020 [24 Hours of Le Mans|24 Hours of Le Mans] in the LMGTE Pro class together with Alex Lynn and Harry Tincknell for Aston Martin Racing. He took four more podiums during the season and finished runner-up in the Drivers' standings.
While Aston Martin Racing officially ended its factory involvement in the FIA WEC after the 2019-2020 season, Martin was retained as a factory driver to support the customer racing program. However, due to a lack of opportunities in 2021, he raced on Porsche cars on several occasions. In 2022. Martin raced in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 from The Heart of Racing Team. This marked his return to a full time program in North America for the first time since 2013. Martin ended up winning two races in the GTD class during the season, one of which was the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, helping his teammate Roman De Angelis win the title. At the end of the season, he and Aston Martin decided to part ways after five seasons.

Return to BMW Motorsport (since 2023)

On October 26, 2022, it was announced that Martin would return to the squad of BMW factory drivers.
In 2023, Martin would mainly compete in the GT World Challenge Europe series partnering MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi driving a BMW M4 GT3 for Team WRT. Beside his GT program, Martin would also be involved in WRT's testing program of the BMW M Hybrid V8. On July 16, he and Rossi won the second sprint race at the Misano circuit which marked Rossi's maiden win in the championship.