During the same season, the 23-year-old British driver will also compete in the Japanese Super Formula championship, adding an important new chapter to his career.
From the Academy to third driver
Luke Browning’s journey with Williams continues with a new and significant step. The Grove-based team first welcomed him into its Driver Academy in 2023, following a series of promising results that included pole position and victory at the Macau Grand Prix that same year. After completing a total of four Formula 1 free practice appearances, three of them during the most recent season, Williams have now decided to promote the 23-year-old to the role of reserve driver for the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.
This decision reflects the team’s growing confidence in Browning’s abilities and his steady development within the Williams structure, both on track and behind the scenes.
Also racing in Japan
As a result, should Alex Albon or Carlos Sainz be unavailable, Luke Browning will be the driver called upon to replace the race drivers and take part in Grands Prix during the 2026 championship. Browning will therefore act as Williams’ third driver, but his programme will not be limited to Formula 1 duties alone.
As confirmed in the team’s official announcement, the British driver will also compete with Team Kondo Racing in Japan’s premier single-seater category, Super Formula. Browning said: “I am incredibly excited to be the reserve driver for Atlassian Williams F1 Team this year. The Academy has been fundamental to my development, supporting me in both Formula 3 and Formula 2 and giving me the opportunity to become familiar with modern Formula 1 cars through testing and FP1 sessions.”
He continued: “I can’t wait to work alongside Alex and Carlos to help drive the team forward in this new era of Formula 1. I am also happy to confirm that 2026 will be my debut season in Super Formula. It will be a completely new challenge and I’m really looking forward to getting started. As a next step towards a full-time seat in Formula 1, this gives me another opportunity to show how much I’ve grown on track and to continue improving my skills in a new environment and culture.”
Further comments came from Williams team principal James Vowles, with the announcement arriving shortly after Leonardo Fornaroli was named reserve driver at McLaren. Vowles said: “It is a proud moment to see Luke take on the role of Reserve Driver from 2026. He has made enormous progress since joining the Academy in 2023 and has supported the team’s journey towards the front of the grid through his work in the simulator and during FP1 sessions, which has proven invaluable in this new regulatory era.”
He added: “His Super Formula season will allow him to gain further on-track experience and continue his growth as a driver, and we are looking forward to seeing him back on track as he enters this new phase of his racing career.”
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