Williams has confirmed reserve driver Luke Browning will take part in Free Practice 1 at both the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix this weekend and the Austrian Grand Prix two weeks later, giving the 24-year-old Briton his first taste of the team’s 2026 FW48 challenger.
Alex Albon will hand over his car to Browning for the Barcelona session, while Carlos Sainz will step aside at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. The outings fulfill part of F1’s regulation requiring every full-time driver to cede their seat to a rookie — defined as someone who has started no more than two Grands Prix — in two practice sessions across the season.
“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the FW48 for the first time, and to have two opportunities to experience the car first-hand in the European season makes it even more special,” Browning said. “I’ve been working hard to prepare so that I can make the most of these sessions and help the team plan and prepare for the race weekends ahead. I’m incredibly thankful to everyone at Atlassian Williams F1 Team for their continued trust and support, and I can’t wait to get out on track.”
Browning is no stranger to official F1 running. He drove for Williams in FP1 at Bahrain, Mexico and Abu Dhabi last season, as well as at Abu Dhabi in 2024. A member of the Williams Driver Academy since 2023, he finished fourth in last year’s Formula 2 standings with Hitech GP, collecting nine podiums including a Feature Race victory at Monza. He has since moved into Japan’s Super Formula series with Team Kondo Racing, where his best result so far is fourth.
Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets praised Browning’s contributions both on and off the track. “Luke continues to prove himself as a valuable part of the team, both through his simulator work and his performances on track,” Smeets said. “Giving him his first opportunity to get behind the wheel of the FW48 across two race weekends is an important step in his development and a natural progression.”
Smeets added: “We have a talented group of young drivers in the Williams F1 Team Driver Academy, and we’re pleased to continue providing opportunities like this to support drivers’ progression and development.”