Luke Browning Named Williams F1 Reserve Driver for 2026 as Team Confirms Driver Academy Line-Up

Atlassian Williams Racing has confirmed that Luke Browning will serve as the team’s Formula 1 Reserve Driver for the 2026 season, alongside contesting his rookie campaign in the Japanese Super Formula Championship with Team Kondo Racing. The team has also announced its 2026 Williams Racing Driver Academy line-up as its young talents take the next steps toward the highest levels of motorsport.

Browning steps into the Reserve Driver role following an impressive FIA Formula 2 season in 2025, where he finished fourth overall with Hitech GP. In his first full-time year in the category, the British driver claimed nine podium finishes and a maiden victory, highlighted by a dominant weekend in Italy that saw him secure pole position and convert it into a hard-fought Feature Race win.

As Reserve Driver, Browning will play a key role in supporting the team as Formula 1 enters a new regulatory era. His responsibilities will include race-weekend stand-by duties, simulator work, and data analysis to aid car development. Alongside his F1 commitments, Browning will compete in Super Formula—Japan’s premier single-seater championship and widely regarded as the second-fastest racing series in the world.

This latest step marks another milestone in Browning’s progression within the Williams Racing Driver Academy, which he joined in 2023. Since then, he has won the prestigious Macau Grand Prix, finished third in the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship, and earned promotion to Formula 2. Prior to joining Williams, Browning was crowned champion of the 2020 British F4 Championship and the 2022 GB3 Championship.

In preparation for his Reserve role, Browning has completed three FP1 appearances in the FW47, gaining valuable experience with the car and the trackside team. He has also participated in the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme, driving the FW45.

Williams Racing also confirmed its 2026 Driver Academy roster, continuing its commitment to developing the next generation of talent:

• Alessandro Giusti (France) will compete in his second FIA Formula 3 season with MP Motorsport, targeting a championship challenge after a strong rookie year featuring 13 points finishes and two podiums.
• Jade Jacquet (France) joins the Academy as the team’s F1 Academy representative, racing with ART Grand Prix. After transitioning to single-seaters following just one year of international karting, she impressed in French Formula 4 and claimed the Female Trophy at Dijon-Prenois.
• Kean Nakamura-Berta (Japan/Slovakia) is a new addition and will compete in Formula Regional Middle East and Formula Regional European Championships. His accolades include the Italian Formula 4 title and the 2022 CIK-FIA OK European Championship.
• Oleksandr Bondarev (Ukraine) continues with Prema Racing in Italian Formula 4 for a second season, targeting the championship after securing a race win at Imola and a podium at Misano in 2025.
• Dean Hoogendoorn (Netherlands) steps up to OK karting following a standout 2025 that included FIA Karting European Junior Championship and WSK Super Master Series OKJ titles.
• Will Green (UK) returns to the OKJ category after a strong 2025 campaign featuring three race wins, aiming to build on that momentum in his second season.
• Lucas Palacio (USA) advances to OKJ karting after being crowned WSK Super Master Series OKNJ Champion at just 11 years old.

Luke Browning said:

“I’m incredibly excited to step up as Reserve Driver with Atlassian Williams Racing in 2026. The Academy has been instrumental in my development, supporting me through Formula 3 and Formula 2 while giving me valuable experience in modern F1 machinery through testing and FP1 sessions. I’m looking forward to working alongside Alex and Carlos as the team enters this new era of Formula 1.

“I’m also delighted to confirm that 2026 will be my rookie season in Super Formula. It’s a completely new challenge and an important step toward my goal of a full-time F1 seat, giving me the opportunity to continue developing in a new racing environment and culture.”

Team Principal James Vowles added:

“It’s a proud moment to see Luke step into the Reserve Driver role for 2026. Since joining the Academy in 2023, he has made exceptional progress and has already contributed significantly through simulator and FP1 work. His Super Formula campaign will provide valuable race experience and further his development as a driver, and we’re excited to see him take this next step in his career.”

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