Williams has appointed Luke Browning as its reserve driver for the 2026 Method 1 season. Following the information, workforce principal James Vowles confirmed to his followers on social media that he might be supporting the younger driver as he takes on the duty.
Browning’s promotion follows a powerful efficiency by the academy since becoming a member of the Williams Driver Academy in 2023. With sturdy single-seater outcomes incomes him eligibility for a superlicence, he is already pushed in a number of apply periods in 2025.
This 12 months, he is competing in Japan’s Tremendous Method with Workforce Kondo Racing, that means he’ll miss 4 race weekends. However his third-place end in Method 3 and fourth-place finishes in Method 2 throughout the final two seasons have given Vowles the boldness to deliver him into the fold.
“Congratulations to Luke Browning on securing a seat as our Reserve Driver for the 2026 season. Luke is considered one of our personal and his improvement over the previous 18 months has been there for everyone to see. He’s an unbelievable expertise, and we’re proud to have him onboard.
“He will even take the step into Japanese Tremendous Method this coming season, racing at quite a few circuits in Japan with Workforce Kondo Racing. I’m actually excited to observe his progress throughout the 12 months and help him each step of the way in which as he embarks on the subsequent chapter in his profession.”
With the 23-year-old confirmed for 20 races this season, Williams is but to verify who will cowl the remaining 4.
Williams Driver Academy
Picture by: Williams
“I’m extremely excited to be stepping up as Reserve Driver with Atlassian Williams F1 Workforce this 12 months,” Browning mentioned. “The Academy has been instrumental in my development, supporting me by each Method 3 and Method 2 whereas giving me the prospect to stand up to hurry with fashionable F1 equipment by testing and FP1 periods.
“I look ahead to working alongside Alex and Carlos to drive the workforce ahead on this new period for Method 1. I’m additionally blissful to verify that 2026 might be my rookie season in Tremendous Method. This might be a very new problem, and I’m wanting ahead to getting caught in!
“As my subsequent step up in the direction of a full-time Method 1 seat, this offers me one other probability to indicate how I’ve developed on monitor and proceed to construct my expertise in a brand new setting and tradition.”
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