Briton Luke Browning has been chosen as Williams’ reserve driver for the 2026 System 1 season.
Browning, 23, impressed through the System 2 marketing campaign in 2025, ending fourth within the championship with Hitech GP after 9 podium finishes and one victory.
It has earned him the prospect to be back-up to Williams’ major drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
“I am extremely excited to be stepping up as reserve driver with Atlassian Williams F1 Crew this 12 months,” mentioned Browning, who took half in some follow and check periods for the workforce final 12 months.
“I look ahead to working alongside Alex and Carlos to drive the workforce ahead on this new period for System 1.”
Alongside his reserve position, Browning will compete for the primary time within the Japanese Tremendous System Championship for Kondo Racing.
Williams workforce principal James Vowles mentioned it was a “proud second” to see Browning step up into his new F1 position.
“He has made immense progress since he joined the Williams F1 Driver Academy in 2023, and has supported the workforce’s journey again in the direction of the entrance of the grid by means of his involvement in simulator and FP1 work,” Vowles mentioned.
On Thursday, McLaren introduced Leonardo Fornaroli and Pato O’Ward as reserve drivers for 2026.
Fornaroli, 21, was the 2025 System 2 title winner, changing into a back-to-back System 3 and System 2 champion.
