Williams promotes Browning to F1 reserve driver role

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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.

©Williams

“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.”

Regarding his upcoming move to Japan, he added: “I’m also happy to confirm that 2026 will be my rookie season in Super Formula. This will be a completely new challenge, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in!

“As my next step up towards a full-time Formula 1 seat, this gives me another chance to show how I’ve developed on track and continue to build my skills in a new environment and culture.”

Browning remains a firm believer in the upward trajectory of the Williams project, noting the infectious energy within the factory.

“Discussing the team's resurgence, he noted that “everyone’s getting behind the underdog story of we can, we can do this. And yeah, we’re not lacking anything.”

Read also: McLaren names O’Ward and Fornaroli as F1 reserves for 2026

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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.