Luke Browning will make another Formula 1 appearance with Williams at the Mexico City Grand Prix, replacing Carlos Sainz in the weekend’s opening practice session. Browning, 23, has enjoyed a competitive first full season in the F2 feeder series in 2025 and is third in the drivers’ standings ahead of the final two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
The Cheshire-born driver is 17 points behind leader Leanardo Fornaroli, having claimed his first win of the season at Monza last month. He is eight adrift of second-place Jak Crawford, while Richard Verschoor is 10 behind him back in fourth.
Browning made his first F1 appearance with Williams at the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi before replacing Sainz at this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix as part of his role as one of Williams’ junior drivers. He deputised Sainz in the opening practice session.
This time, Sainz will once again be giving up his seat to Browning for the opening session of the weekend in Mexico City later this month. Williams said in a statement: “Atlassian Williams Racing is pleased to announce that Williams Racing Academy Driver Luke Browning will take part in the first free practice at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix, taking the wheel of Carlos Sainz’s FW47. This will fulfil the third of four mandated rookie driver sessions this year.”
Browning added: “I’m hugely grateful to be given another chance to drive in a free practice session with Williams and to experience the FW47 for a second time. I’ve been working hard to prepare for the session so I can make the most of this amazing opportunity and help the team plan for the race weekend ahead.
“I can’t wait to get back into an F1 car and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone in the Driver Academy and at Williams for their trust and support.”
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Sven Smeets, the Williams sporting director, said: “Luke has had a strong season in Formula 2 so far, consistently showing his pace across a range of circuits and racing conditions. He has continued to support the team through his simulator work and the TPC program, preparing him well for his next free practice session.
“We look forward to seeing him take to the track in Mexico as build his experience as a Williams Racing Academy Driver.” Sainz, who joined Williams from Ferrari at the start of the 2025 F1 season, claimed his team’s first podium finish since 2021 when he finished third in Azerbaijan in August.
Despite this, the Spaniard is still 38 points behind teammate Alex Albon with six races of the campaign left. As well as this, Sainz is down in 12th in the drivers’ standings.
However, Williams remain on course for its best result in the constructors’ championship since 2017 with the team holding a 30-point advantage over Racing Bulls in the fight for fifth.
