Luke: “The main goal is to be ready”
The Atlassian Williams F1 Team Reserve Driver looks ahead to 2026, combining Formula 1 duties with a new challenge in Super Formula
Published
13 MAR 2026
Est. reading time
3 min
The dust has now settled on a whirlwind 2025 season for Luke Browning – a year that ended with the Brit graduating into a reserve driver role for 2026.
Speaking to fans at the team’s Fan Zone during the season-opening weekend in Melbourne, Luke reflected on his Formula 2 campaign and the lessons it brought – as well as what lies ahead this year.
Looking back on 2025
Melbourne was a special place for Luke last season, and returning this year brought back memories of a strong start to his final Formula 2 campaign.
“Not bad – I started here with a podium, which is what I promised you here last year,” he laughed. “I absolutely love this place. I’m gutted to be on the sidelines.”
The Brit admitted he even tried to convince Team Principal James Vowles to give him some track time during the weekend.
“I tried to twist James’ arm to get out here in an FP1, but he said no – so make sure you give him a little bit of a jeer for that!” he joked.
Even watching from the outside, Luke believes the opening weekend could set the tone for an unpredictable year ahead.
“I’m looking forward to watching it – not only for F2 but F1 too. Who knows where anyone’s going to be. It could be a real shake-up.”
Arriving in the Shangahi paddock this week
Lessons from a title fight
Although the Formula 2 title ultimately slipped away, Luke views the season as a valuable learning experience.
“You know what? It was a year of learnings,” he said. “I was gutted not to get the title in the end, but sometimes it’s just not meant to be.
“We came into those last two rounds within five points, and it was enough [for me] to graduate.”
For 2026, that progression means stepping into a new role within the Williams setup, one that allows him to be more closely integrated with the Formula 1 team.
“I’m very happy to be the reserve driver this year. It’s nice to actually come to the circuit and be fully involved with the Formula 1 team, because last year, as much as I wanted to be involved in F1 as much as I could, I didn’t really have the opportunity to get fully integrated.
“Whereas now I can sit with my dads… Carbono! – joking – and learn as much as I can from them.”
Life as a reserve driver
Luke’s responsibilities will stretch both at the factory and at the circuit as he supports the team across the 2026 campaign.
“It involves simulator time,” he explained. “I guess where I start to help is from now – I didn’t have much impact up to this point, but from here onwards hopefully I can help to develop the team forward.”
His role trackside can be a little more undercover, too.
“My main role on the weekends is a bit of a cheeky one — I’ll probably be trackside in a mask somewhere sat at some of the corners,” he said with a smile.
“So if you see me… pretend I’m not there!
“I’ll be watching the lines of other drivers and feeding that back to the team to hopefully help our drivers go quicker.”
A new challenge in Japan
Alongside his Formula 1 responsibilities, Luke will also take on a fresh challenge in 2026 by competing in Super Formula Championship – widely regarded as the most similar single-seater series to F1.
“It’s the fastest junior single-seater car you can drive outside of Formula 1 – it’s the closest,” Luke said.
“And I think it’s going to get me the most fit. The main goal is just to go and learn.
“It’s new tracks, a new car, and the main focus is to be ready in case I’m needed in Formula 1 and to prepare myself for the future.”
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