Luke Browning, promoted to reserve driver by Williams, will race in Super Formula

It was expected after his participation in pre-season testing in December, and now it's official: Luke Browning will make his Super Formula debut in 2026. The Briton will compete in the Japanese championship. car, through which they passed Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson, Theo Pourchaire (one race only) or Ayumu Iwasa, 2025 champion and reserve driver of Red Bull.

After a successful first year in Formula 2 (nine podium finishes, one victory), the former Hitech driver will not continue in the feeder series to the premier class. However, alongside his season in Japan, he will serve as a reserve driver for Williams en Formula 1This choice is not surprising from the Grove team, whose young driver academy Browning was part of and with whom he had taken part in three free practice sessions in 2025.

“I am incredibly excited to become a reserve driver with Williams this year. Browning rejoices. The Academy played a pivotal role in my growth, supporting me both through the Formula 3 and Formula 2, while also giving me the chance to get up to speed with F1 through testing and free practice sessions. I'm looking forward to working alongside Alex and Carlos to help the team move forward in this new era for Formula 1.”

"It is a great source of pride to see Luke take on the role of reserve pilot from 2026 onwards.". greets James Vowles, the team manager. He has made tremendous progress since joining the Academy in 2023 and has contributed to the team's advancement towards the front of the grid through his involvement in simulator work and during Free Practice 1. The 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.

Luke Browning will be fielded by Team Kondo Racing for the Super Formula season, which begins with the first round scheduled for April 3-5 at the Motegi circuit. He will face, among others, two-time World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä, who has decided to switch his career to single-seaters. The former driver Alpine F1 driver Jack Doohan is also among the credible candidates to join Luke Browning at Kondo Racing.

ALSO READ > Engaged with Alpine In WEC, Victor Martins remains with Williams F1