Luke Browning named Williams Reserve Driver for 2026

Williams has officially named Luke Browning as the team's Reserve Driver for the 2026 season, positioning him as the understudy to Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz. The British driver will split his duties between the F1 team's simulator and a racing campaign in the Japanese Super Formula series with Team Kondo Racing.

Why it matters:

As F1 enters a new era of regulations in 2026, having a capable reserve driver is vital for development and reliability. Browning’s promotion rewards his consistent performance in the junior categories and ensures Williams has a proven talent ready to step in if needed, while also gaining valuable experience in one of the world's toughest domestic series.

The details:

• 2025 Momentum: Browning’s promotion follows a solid 2025 season where he finished fourth in the FIA Formula 2 championship and participated in three rookie FP1 sessions for Williams.
• Super Formula Move: Competing in Japan is a strategic move often used by F1 teams to keep their drivers sharp. Browning expressed excitement about the "new challenge" and the opportunity to prove his development in a different environment.
• Team Support: His role will focus heavily on data analysis and simulator work to support the race team, a contribution Team Principal James Vowles described as "invaluable" for their journey back to the front.
• Academy Lineup: Williams also confirmed the rest of its 2026 driver academy, featuring Alessandro Giusti, Jade Jacquet, Kean Nakamura-Berta, Oleksandr Bondarev, Dean Hoogendoorn, Will Green, and Lucas Palacio.

Looking Ahead:

Vowles praised Browning's progress since joining the academy in 2023, signaling that the team sees a long-term future for him. While the immediate focus is on supporting the 2026 campaign, a successful stint in Super Formula could position Browning as a strong candidate for a full-time race seat in the coming years.