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Williams has officially announced that Academy standout Luke Browning will serve as the team’s Formula 1 Reserve Driver for the 2026 season.
The 23-year-old Briton earns the promotion following a stellar campaign in Formula 2, where he secured a victory and eight podiums on his way to fourth in the championship, alongside impressive performances during three FP1 sessions.
In an exciting twist for his 2026 development, Browning will balance his F1 duties with a full-time seat in the Japanese Super Formula series with Kondo Racing.
This move places him in one of the fastest single-seater categories in the world, and a potential stepping stone to a seat in F1.
Williams team principal James Vowles praised the youngster’s trajectory and the work he has already put in behind the scenes.
“It’s a proud moment to see Luke stepping into the Reserve Driver role from 2026,” he said.
“He has made immense progress since he joined the Academy in 2023 and has supported the team’s journey back to the front of the grid through his involvement in simulator and FP1 work, which has been invaluable as we enter this new era of regulations.
"His Super Formula campaign will allow him to gain more on-track experience and continue his growth as a driver, and we look forward to seeing him back on track as he enters this next stage of his racing career.”
Ready for the Big Stage
For Browning, the appointment represents the culmination of years of hard work within the Williams ecosystem. He is set to work closely with the team's race duo, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, as the sport enters a transformative period of technical regulations.
“I’m incredibly excited to be stepping up as Reserve Driver with Atlassian Williams F1 Team this year,” Browning said.
“The Academy has been instrumental in my growth, supporting me through both Formula 3 and Formula 2 while giving me the chance to get up to speed with modern F1 machinery through testing and FP1 sessions.
“I look forward to working alongside Alex and Carlos to drive the team forward in this new era for Formula 1.”
- Phillip van Osten
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