Williams has confirmed that protege Luke Browning is to get a further two FP1 outings in 2026 – starting at the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend.
Browning, who has already driven the FW48 in Barcelona, Austria, and Italy, will take five total FP1s this season, as he takes over Alex Albon’s car in Mexico before Carlos Sainz steps down for FP1 in Brazil.
Browning’s first FP1 of the year in Barcelona was ruined by car problems, meaning he conducted no meaningful running – with Albon, who stepped aside in Italy for the second time, now giving up a third session for the Briton.
Other FP1 drivers confirmed thus far are Fred Vesti for George Russell at Mercedes, Jak Crawford for Lance Stroll at Aston Martin and Freddie Slater for Audi, although it has not been confirmed which driver Slater will replace in Mexico when he makes his debut, but it is likely to be Gabriel Bortoleto.
Slater is also in for FP1 in Brazil, with this being Bortoleto’s home race, meaning Nico Hulkenberg should likely stand down there.