Raw Pace to Championship Contender: Vowles on Browning’s Rise

Luke Browning’s maiden Formula 2 victory at Monza was a landmark moment in his first full season – and for Team Principal James Vowles, it was further proof of the Briton’s progression.

“He’s impressed me greatly,” Vowles said on the latest episode of The Vowles Verdict, presented by Kraken. “He’s really matured since his first season in Formula 3 a couple of years ago. At the time, he had raw pace but couldn’t bring it together in a package that meant he wasn’t able to consistently score points, or fight for championships.”

That raw pace has never been in doubt, but the difference in 2025 has been Browning’s ability to harness it consistently.

“Now we do need to remember this is his first year in F2,” Vowles continued. “But he’s up there in P2 in the championship, fighting really in and amongst others. And that’s what has impressed me with him. He’s had a huge maturity step across the two years. His raw pace has been there, but he’s brought it together in a way that he’s very consistent on how he deploys and uses it.”

That consistency has kept Luke firmly in the title fight. His Monza triumph, secured from pole position and under intense pressure across multiple Safety Car restarts, marked his eighth podium of the year and leaves him just 21 points off championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli with three rounds remaining.

“We have three rounds left to go in Formula 2, and I have every belief that Luke will be there fighting for the championship to the end,” JV said. “It’s down to him to deliver, but we’ll be by his side as he does that.”

Next up is Baku, the scene of Luke’s F2 debut last season. Want to know more about Luke’s Monza victory? Read our latest Academy Report.

You can hear more of James’ reflections from the Italian Grand Prix weekend in the latest episode of The Vowles Verdict, presented by Kraken.