By Jigyasa Singh
Luke Browning has been promoted to the role of official reserve driver for Williams Racing. The 23-year-old Briton will combine a full-season Super Formula campaign with his F1 duties in 2026, serving as the primary backup to Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
After a standout 2025 season where he finished fourth in the FIA Formula 2 standings, Browning’s promotion marks the next logical step in his development within the Williams Driver Academy. The Cheshire-born driver is no stranger to the team’s operations. Having already completed several Friday practice sessions (FP1) and extensive simulator work at the team’s base in Grove, he is now the “first responder” should the team need a substitute during the record-breaking 24-race calendar. His move to Super Formula with Kondo Racing follows a path similar to that of current F1 stars like Pierre Gasly, using the high-speed Japanese series to bridge the final gap to a full-time F1 seat.
Williams Team Principal James Vowles, who has overseen the rise of several top-tier drivers, praised Browning’s maturity and pace.
“It’s a proud moment to see Luke stepping into the Reserve Driver role,” said Vowles. “He has made immense progress since joining the Academy in 2023. His work in the simulator has been invaluable as we enter this new era of F1 regulations, and we are proud to have him onboard.”
What to Expect in 2026
For those new to the sport, here is what Luke Browning’s busy year will look like:
- The ‘Shadow’ Role: Luke will travel to most Grand Prix weekends. If Albon or Sainz are unable to race, Luke will take over the car.
- Simulator Mastery: When not at the track, he spends hours in a high-tech “video game” simulator that mimics the real car, helping engineers test new parts before they are even built.
- The Japanese Challenge: He will also race in Japan’s “Super Formula.” These cars are almost as fast as F1 cars, which keeps his racing sharp and his neck muscles ready for the extreme G-forces of a Grand Prix car.
Luke Browning: Career at a Glance
- Born: January 31, 2002 (Kingsley, UK)
- 2025 Result: 4th in FIA Formula 2 (1 Win, 9 Podiums)
- Key Achievement: 2023 Macau Grand Prix Winner
- Junior Titles: 2020 British F4 Champion, 2022 GB3 Champion
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