2022 GB3 champion Luke Browning has been confirmed as the Reserve Driver for the Atlassian Williams F1 team this year, and in addition, will compete in the SuperFormula Championship in Japan.
The British driver was the class of the GB3 field in 2022, claiming five race wins and eight further podium finishes, and clinched the title in the season finale at Donington Park.
Since then, he's won the Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, triumphed at the Macau GP, challenged for the title in both Formula 3 and Formula 2 and joined the Williams Academy in 2023, leading to multiple free practice and official test outings in F1 machinery.
As part of his Reserve Driver role, Browning will be called up to make his F1 debut should race drivers Carlos Sainz or Alex Albon be unable to participate during a race weekend. He will also play a major role in car development with data analysis and simulator work.
He will also stay race sharp with a full time campaign in SuperFormula with Team Kondo Racing, a step up from F2 and a series capable of matching F1 cornering speeds.
“I’m incredibly excited to be stepping up as Reserve Driver with Atlassian Williams F1 Team this year" said Browning.
"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.
“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.”
“It’s a proud moment to see Luke stepping into the Reserve Driver role from 2026" Team Principal James Vowles adds. "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.
"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.”