Luke Browning Leaves F2 for Williams F1 Path, Eyes Super Formula
After a strong 4th-place F2 finish, Williams junior Luke Browning is leaving the series to focus on his F1 test driver role and pursue a potential Super Formula seat in 2026.
Williams junior driver Luke Browning is stepping away from Formula 2 after a single season, where he finished fourth, to fully concentrate on his path to Formula 1 with the team. The British driver, who participated in several F1 practice sessions this year, views the move as a strategic step to prepare for a future F1 seat, potentially exploring a competitive Super Formula campaign in 2026 to stay race-sharp.
Why it matters:
Browning's decision highlights the evolving and non-linear pathways to Formula 1. For a top team like Williams, investing heavily in a junior driver's development through test roles and alternative series like Super Formula is becoming a key strategy. It underscores the immense pressure on young talents to make calculated career moves, betting on a manufacturer's long-term support rather than solely chasing championships in traditional feeder series.
The details:
- Browning contested the 2025 F2 season with Hitech, securing a respectable 4th place in the championship standings before announcing his departure from the series.
- He gained valuable F1 cockpit time by driving the Williams FW47 in practice sessions at the Mexican and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.
- He notably finished third fastest in the post-season Abu Dhabi test, just two-tenths of a second off the pace of Aston Martin's reserve driver, Jak Crawford.
- Browning described the difficulty of adapting between F1 and F2 machinery, citing differences in seat position, pedal reach, and steering force as major hurdles.
- Following the F2 season, he tested a Super Formula car at Suzuka, a series considered faster than F2 and a valuable training ground, an idea proposed by Williams to get him track time in F1-level machinery.
What's next:
Browning's immediate future likely involves a move to Japan's Super Formula, a series he tested with Williams' backing. While F1 seats for 2026 are confirmed, he is clearly positioning himself for opportunities in 2027 or beyond, stating that Williams is "gearing me up to go for Formula 1." His departure also marks the end of a long-standing relationship with Hitech, a team he has raced with since 2022, thanking them for shaping him into the driver he is today.