Report: Luke’s bold strategy delivers more points at Suzuka weekend

Luke matched his personal-best Super Formula finish at the weekend, as Rounds 4 and 5 took place at Suzuka

Published

26 MAY 2026

Est. reading time

2 min

A bold strategy call helped Luke Browning secure another eye-catching result during Rounds 4 and 5 of the 2026 Super Formula season at Suzuka.

Returning to one of Japan’s most iconic circuits, the Atlassian Williams F1 Team Reserve Driver continued his rookie campaign with Kondo Racing and added another strong performance to an already encouraging start to life in the category.

After showing flashes of pace across practice – including a P10 finish in FP2 – Luke qualified P16 for Round 4, setting up a challenging opening race around the high-speed Suzuka layout.

Changing weather conditions in the closing stages split the field between drivers gambling on slick tyres and those opting for wets. Luke found himself among the group that stayed on slicks, a decision that ultimately proved decisive as the track rapidly dried.

The Brit charged through the order in the closing laps to secure an impressive P4 finish. matching the best result of his Super Formula career so far.

Speaking afterwards with DIVEBOMB, Luke explained the decision had not initially been part of the plan.

“We actually committed to boxing, but I was already past the pit entry,” he said. “We thought maybe it wouldn’t dry in time, but it worked in a good way.”

Luke also highlighted the unusual tyre behaviour he experienced during the race, explaining that while many drivers struggled with degradation, his pace improved as the stint developed.

“The more degradation for me, the faster I went effectively,” he explained.

The result continued an impressive adaptation to Super Formula machinery for the 24-year-old, who has already made headlines earlier this season with a charge from P21 to P4 at Motegi on his debut weekend.

“I come into every weekend thinking I can win it because I believe in myself,” Luke said. “Sometimes we were really quick this weekend, sometimes not so much, and it’s about understanding and learning why that is.”

Round 5 proved more difficult. After qualifying P22, Luke faced a tougher race on Sunday afternoon and ultimately crossed the line P14 following another busy race.

Despite the more challenging second outing, Luke leaves Suzuka sitting P8 in the Super Formula standings on 16 points after five rounds of his rookie campaign.

The Super Formula season continues in mid-July at Fuji, while Luke also maintains his reserve driver duties with Atlassian Williams F1 Team throughout the Formula 1 season.

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