Luke to make Formula 1 weekend debut in Abu Dhabi

Rising star Luke Browning will embark on the biggest weekend of his racing career to date in Abu Dhabi next month after being called up by the Williams team to make an appearance during the final weekend of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Luke, a member of the Williams Academy, will get behind the wheel of the Williams FW46 that is usually driven by Alex Albon for the opening practice session of the weekend – marking the first time that he will have taken to the track in an official Formula 1 session.

Franco Colapinto, who will be Luke’s team-mate during the FP1 session, took part in free practice earlier in the season at Silverstone before being given the chance to step into a race seat following the departure of Logan Sargeant.

The appearance alongside the F1 field will come on a busy weekend for Cheshire-based Luke, who will also be hitting the track for the third and final meeting in a three-round stint with the ART Grand Prix team in FIA Formula 2.

The 22-year-old has previous experience of F1 machinery having sampled a 2021-spec Aston Martin AMR21 as his prize for winning the Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award back in 2022.

As well as his outing in FP1, Luke will then stay on with the Williams team after the race weekend to take part in the traditional end-of-season Pirelli tyre test in which each F1 team is required to run a rookie driver.

That test, scheduled to take place on the Tuesday after the season finale, will see Luke hit the track alongside Spaniard Carlos Sainz as he makes his first appearance in Williams colours ahead of his move from Ferrari for the 2025 season.

“It’s an honour to be driving a Williams F1 car for the first time in Abu Dhabi,” Luke said “To have the chance to not only take part in the Young Driver Test but also Free Practice is incredibly special.

“A huge thank you to everyone at Williams Racing for supporting my development as part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and entrusting me with the FW46.

“I’ll be working hard to prepare and make the most of the opportunity.”