Luke Browning Named Williams Reserve Driver for 2026 Season

Williams has officially named Luke Browning as the team's test and reserve driver for the 2026 season. The British driver will step up to support race operations and development work as Formula 1 enters a new regulatory era, while also competing in Super Formula to maintain his racing sharpness.

Why it matters:

With the massive rule changes coming in 2026, teams require deep engineering feedback and versatile drivers who understand the new philosophy. Browning's appointment highlights Williams' confidence in their academy pipeline, ensuring they have a prepared talent pool ready to step in if needed, rather than relying solely on external signings.

The details:

• 2025 Credentials: Browning finished fourth in the 2025 Formula 2 championship with Hitech GP, securing a feature race win in Italy and nine total podiums during a strong rookie campaign.
• Super Formula Move: To maximize his seat time, he will drive for Team Kondo Racing in Super Formula, a series widely regarded as the fastest single-seater category outside of F1.
• Ready Integration: He has already completed FP1 sessions and participated in the Testing of Previous Cars program, allowing him to embed himself within the race engineering group before his official promotion.
• Academy Track Record: Joining the Williams Academy in 2023, he previously claimed the Macau Grand Prix, British F4 title, and the GB3 Championship.

What's next:

Browning aims to use this reserve role as a springboard to a full-time race seat in the future. His promotion coincides with an expanded Williams Driver Academy lineup for 2026, signaling the team's long-term strategy to build a competitive foundation through sustained youth development.