Just under a couple of weeks ago, we announced that Luke Browning would be joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy, meaning our tally of Formula 3 drivers rose to four.

Last week, the Hitech Pulse-Eight driver joined us at Grove for his first official day at the office, and we sat down with the 21-year-old for an exclusive chat.

Welcome to Williams Racing, Luke, how does it feel to be part of the team?

It feels really good, it’s great to be a part of Williams Racing. Walking around the factory feels pretty special.

I’ve been getting involved with the team and doing some work during my first day at Grove which was fun.

I’m looking forward to doing more days like this in the future!

The heritage is massive, and I really like the management. Speaking with the team, I really believe where they’re going with the prospects of Williams Racing and what their plans are for the future of it.

The goals of Williams Racing align with mine and one day I’d like to win a World Championship with this team.

How do you feel about competing against Academy teammates Zak O’Sullivan, Franco Colapinto and Ollie Gray in Formula 3?

Well of course it’s competition, right?

We’re all working towards the same goal to reach Formula 1 so I’ve just got to keep my head down, do my job and we’ll see what happens from there.

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We’ve been super fast, really, really fast - I’d say ultimately we’ve had Top 3 pace in every race so far.

We’ve even, at some points, been the quickest - in Bahrain, for example - but unfortunately, Qualifying has not quite come together, both from being blocked going purple, purple then having a red flag or just things not quite going my way, even sometimes it being my own mistake - again, in Bahrain.

But, the key is the pace is there and it won’t take long - as long as we keep the pace up - for the results to come.

What are your hopes for the rest of the season?

The obvious goal is to win the Championship.

Looking at the points last year, you had the Championship leader - or the person that won the Championship [Victor Martins] - after two rounds had a slightly lower cumulative points total to what I have now - 14 - so coming off the back of the first two rounds I’m still on target.

But, the results still need to come - it would be nice if it could turn to winning form.

You don’t now race again until Imola, how are you spending the time between now and then?

A lot of sim racing, I really enjoy sim racing. And getting as fit as possible, I also really enjoy going to the gym.

Watching the other races too, I love watching F1, and everything else in between, it’s been quite fun.

I often occupy myself with loads of other sports.

Stay tuned for more Luke content as we get to know the latest addition to our Academy a little bit better.

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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

We recently sat down with our new Williams Racing Academy driver for an exclusive interview

Exclusive: Luke Browning on “special” first day at Grove

We recently sat down with our new Williams Racing Academy driver for an exclusive interview

Welcome to Williams Racing, Luke, how does it feel to be part of the team?

What attracted you to Williams Racing?

How do you feel about competing against Academy teammates Zak O’Sullivan, Franco Colapinto and Ollie Gray in Formula 3?

How would you rate your season so far?

What are your hopes for the rest of the season?

You don’t now race again until Imola, how are you spending the time between now and then?

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