Williams has introduced that Luke Browning will participate within the opening observe session at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, fulfilling one in all 4 mandated rookie driver classes this yr.
Browning is at the moment racing in his first full season within the FIA Components 2 Championship with Hitech GP, the place he has had a powerful begin to the yr, stepping on the rostrum within the Dash Race in Australia and leaving the opening spherical third within the standings.
This follows the Briton’s spectacular debut within the collection in Baku final yr, the place he graduated from FIA Components 3 for the ultimate three rounds of the 2024 season, scoring factors in two races. He additionally took half in Free Observe 1 on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix shortly afterwards, experiencing an F1 automobile throughout a race weekend for the very first time.
As a part of his preparations for FP1 in Bahrain, Luke participated within the TPC (Testing of Earlier Automobiles) programme in Monza final weekend, driving the FW45 alongside new Academy recruit Victor Martins.
Commenting on his forthcoming outing, Browning famous: “Being given one other alternative to drive in a Free Observe session with Williams is a dream come true, and I am getting an increasing number of confidence every time I drive the automobile.
“My foremost purpose for FP1 is to get extra comfy with the procedures and setting that include Components 1, and to construct on my expertise from Abu Dhabi final December.
“I’m excited to really feel the development from the FW46 to the FW47 and I really feel extremely grateful to James, Sven and the staff at Grove for entrusting me with the automobile. A number of preparation has gone into this weekend, so thanks to everybody within the Driver Academy for supporting my growth thus far.”
Reflecting on the staff’s choice to fill the vasated seat with Browning, Williams’ sporting director Sven Smeets famous: “Luke has made robust progress since his first Components 2 weekend final yr and scored good factors within the opening race of the season in Australia.
“His earlier FP1 expertise, participation in our TPC programme, and simulator work have ready him properly for this weekend and we stay up for seeing him take this subsequent step ahead in his growth.”
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