Luke Browning to make F1 weekend debut as Williams confirm F2 racer for Abu Dhabi FP1 and Young Driver Test

Williams have confirmed that Formula 2 driver Luke Browning will drive for the squad in FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before participating in the end-of-season Young Driver Test.

In what will be the Briton’s debut drive on a Formula 1 weekend, the session fulfils Williams’ second and final mandated rookie driver session this year.

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Browning, aged 22, has enjoyed a strong 2024 in Formula 3 – taking two poles in Austria and Great Britain as well as two Feature Race victories in Bahrain and Austria – as he went on to finish third in the championship.

His rise up the motorsport ladder continued following the conclusion of this year’s F3 season, as he stepped up to F2 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend with ART Grand Prix. After scoring points on debut around the streets of Baku he will continue with ART for the final two rounds of the F2 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

“It’s an honour to be driving a Williams F1 car for the first time in Abu Dhabi,” said Browning. “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.”

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Sven Smeets, Sporting Director at Williams, said: “Luke has had an impressive Formula 3 season and has taken the transition to Formula 2 in his stride, performing well from his first outing in Baku.

“Throughout this year, he has made important contributions to the team through his development work and has demonstrated rapid progress in his understanding, maturity, and race craft. We are now looking forward to giving Luke the opportunity to drive the FW46 in Abu Dhabi as the next step in his development as a Williams Racing Academy driver.”

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend will take place from December 6-8, while the end-of-season test takes place at the same circuit two days later, on December 10.