Atlassian Williams Racing is pleased to share that Williams Racing Academy Driver Luke Browning will drive Alex Albon’s FW47 in the first free practice session at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and will participate in the end-of-season Young Driver Test.

Luke joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy in April 2023 following his stand-out 2022 season where he secured the GB3 Championship and won the 2022 Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award. 

Since joining the Academy he has continued this upward trajectory, winning the Macau Grand Prix in 2023, also taking pole position and the fastest lap, and finishing the 2024 FIA Formula 3 season in third with two race wins and a podium in Monaco.

Luke Browning drives the FW47 in Free Practice 1 at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix

“It’s going to be an unforgettable weekend in Abu Dhabi fighting for the Formula 2 title while getting back behind the wheel of the FW47, and it’s a challenge I’m going to relish," Luke shared following the announcement.

"The Young Driver Test will give me a final opportunity to help the team prepare for 2026 and I’m looking forward to being part of a Formula 1 weekend for the last time this season. 

"Thank you to everyone at the Driver Academy and Williams for the trust once again.”

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As part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy’s proud tradition of giving young talent a path into F1, Luke has regularly driven in the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) and simulator programmes with the aim of preparing him for the future. 

He has balanced this with a successful FIA Formula 2 campaign, currently occupying third position in the standings and going into the final two races of the season in a fierce battle for the title.

Luke Browning celebrates his first Formula 2 victory in Monza

“Luke’s development continues to impress us, and we are looking forward to closing the season with him behind the wheel of the FW47," Sven Smeets, Sporting Director at Atlassian Williams Racing, commented. 

"We have an incredibly talented group of drivers in the Williams Racing Driver Academy, and it is important for us to give them the opportunity to progress as they move up the ladder. 

"These final sessions of the season will give Luke another valuable chance to learn from Alex and Carlos, the wider team, and further embed with our trackside operation as he looks towards a bright future.”

Atlassian Williams

Luke is one of the rising stars of British motorsport having already seen success on the track in his junior career. The British driver took his first steps into motorsport at an early age in karting, before graduating into cars in 2016 with an entry into the Junior Saloon Car Championship where he claimed one win and three podium finishes.

In 2017, Luke made the move to the Ginetta Junior Championship. In his first season he secured his first rookie win and also scored his maiden pole position at Silverstone. Returning to the series for a second season in 2018 saw Luke claim eight wins and a grand total of 18 podium finishes leading to an impressive third place finish in the Championship.

Following his impressive seasons in the Ginetta Junior Championship, Luke moved up to single-seaters in 2019 as he switched to British F4. He finished 6th in the driver standings for his first season with two wins and nine podiums. Luke was crowned British F4 Champion in his second season after delivering consistent competitive performances that resulted in seven wins, 16 podiums and only finishing outside of the top six twice all year.

Luke then turned his attention to the European racing scene in 2021 by competing in the ADAC F4 series.

Luke had a successful 2022 season claiming the GB3 Championship with Hitech GP with five race victories and eight further podiums. The British racer also won one of the most prestigious accolades in motorsport, collecting the 2022 Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award. In doing so, Luke joined an impressive list of previous victors including 2021 winner and fellow Williams Racing Academy driver, Zak O’Sullivan, along with our Brand Ambassador and 2009 Formula 1 World Champion, Jenson Button.

Luke was announced as a Williams Racing Academy Driver at the end of April 2023. As part of his role, he works closely with Williams Racing to help develop his talents through a personalised simulator program at the factory in Grove and opportunities to embed with the team trackside during Grands Prix.

In 2023, Luke competed for Hitech Pulse-Eight in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, finishing 15th overall including a second-place finish in the Barcelona Sprint Race. Following the close of the season, Luke raced in the famous Macau Grand Prix, claiming pole, fastest lap, and victory in Sunday’s main race.

Continuing with the Hitech Pulse-Eight team for the FIA Formula 3 2024 Championship, Luke had a very successful season and was in contention for the championship until the final race in Monza. He achieved two wins in Bahrain and Austria, as well as a further podium in Monaco. He also secured two pole positions and two fastest laps.

Following the conclusion of the Formula 3 championship, Luke made the jump to Formula 2 for the remaining races of the 2024 season, joining ART Grand Prix from Baku onwards. Luke will continue to be supported by the Williams Racing Drivers Academy as he climbs the motorsport ladder.

More from Luke Browning

Luke Browning

Abu Dhabi 2025

Free Practice 1

Free Practice 2

Free Practice 3

Qualifying

Race

Our 23-year-old Formula 2 racer will be back in the FW47 at the Yas Marina Circuit in December

Luke Browning to hit the track in Abu Dhabi FP1 and Young Driver Test

Our 23-year-old Formula 2 racer will be back in the FW47 at the Yas Marina Circuit in December

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