British F3 hopeful Luke Browning joins Williams Academy

©Williams

Reigning GB3 champion Luke Browning who is competing this year with Hightech Pusle-Eight in the FIA Formula 3 Championship is the latest young hopeful to join the Williams Driver Academy.

Browning claimed the GB3 title last season with Hightech, winning 5 races and securing 8 podiums. The 21-year-old is currently 10th in the FIA F3 Drivers' Championship after rounds in Bahrain and in Australia.

The British charger was also the recipient last December of the prestigious Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award for 2022, Browning joining the impressive list of previous victors that includes the likes of fellow Williams Academy driver, Zak O’Sullivan, and Williams Racing Brand Ambassador and 2009 F1 World Champion, Jenson Button.

"I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy," commented Browning.

"A huge thank you to everyone at Williams Racing for the opportunity to shoot for the stars. To be welcomed into the family is a dream come true, the heritage of this team is phenomenal.

"I can’t wait to see where we can go, our journey starts here."

Read also: Claire Williams launches Frank Williams Academy funding initiative

Browning will work closely with Williams Racing to help develop his talents through a personalised simulator program at the factory in Grove, while he'll also on occasion embed embed with the F1 team trackside during Grands Prix weekends.

"We’re pleased to have Luke join the Williams Racing Driver Academy," declared Williams Racing sproting director Sven Smeets.

"He’s a highly talented driver with several major achievements already under his belt, including the 2022 Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, the 2022 GB3 Championship and the 2020 British F4 Championship.

"Everyone at Williams Racing is looking forward to working closely with Luke throughout the year as he competes in FIA Formula 3 with Hitech Pulse-Eight.

"He’ll have the opportunity to develop his abilities while providing useful feedback through simulator work at Grove."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.