Williams has announced that Luke Browning will drive Carlos Sainz\u2019s car in FP1 at this weekend\u2019s Austrian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
Browning was appointed Williams\u2019 reserve driver for the F1 2026 season after finishing fourth in the 2025 F2 standings.<\/p>\n
Carlos Sainz to sit out Austrian Grand Prix FP1<\/p>\n
The British driver is combining his Williams reserve duties with a race seat in the Japan-based Super Formula series, with the 24-year-old sitting eighth after the opening four rounds.<\/p>\n
Under F1\u2019s rules, teams are required to field a rookie driver \u2013 defined as drivers who have made no more than two grand prix starts \u2013 in four FP1 sessions, two in each car, over the course of a season.<\/p>\n
Williams announced earlier this month that Browning, who made three FP1 appearances with the team last season, would drive the FW48 in first practice at the Barcelona and Austrian grands prix.<\/p>\n
Browning had been set to deputise for Sainz\u2019s teammate Alex Albon in Barcelona before an electrical problem prevented him from recording a lap.<\/p>\n
Carlos Sainz vs Alex Albon: Williams head-to-head stats for F1 2026 season<\/p>\n
F1 2026: Head-to-head qualifying statistics between teammates<\/a><\/p>\n F1 2026: Head-to-head race statistics between teammates<\/a><\/p>\n Williams has confirmed that Browning will return to the cockpit in place of Sainz in Austria this weekend.<\/p>\n In a post to social media, the team wrote: \u201cLooking forward to seeing Luke in the car this Friday in Austria.\u201d<\/p>\n In an interview with PlanetF1.com and other select media earlier this month, Browning insisted that there is no pressure on him to deliver fast lap times during his FP1 appearances.<\/p>\n Asked by PlanetF1.com if he views his practice outings as an audition for a potential future race seat, Browning said: \u201cObviously, it\u2019s important for me to start performing in these free practices.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no pressure necessarily on lap times, but it\u2019s just showing that I\u2019m ready to get in a seat if I\u2019m needed.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not necessarily pressure from above, that\u2019s just what I apply about myself. I want to hold myself to a good standard and make sure that I\u2019m ready when I get in.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel ready now, I feel fit enough.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve done Super Formula, obviously it is super good for neck strength.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd with the TPC testing that I\u2019ve been doing, I feel ready to drive a Formula 1 car now.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just whether the opportunity comes around.\u201d<\/p>\n As reported by PlanetF1.com earlier this month<\/a>, multiple sources have indicated that Sainz is questioning his future at Williams in light of the team\u2019s troubled start to the season.<\/p>\n Sainz is said to be eyeing Audi, the team he turned down to join Williams in 2024, as a potential alternative destination.<\/p>\n Williams had targeted a major step forward under the new rules for F1 2026 after finishing fifth in the constructors\u2019 standings last year.<\/p>\n However, the team currently sits eighth in the championship having scored just 11 points across the opening seven races.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n