Luke Browning rules out F2 as possible Super Formula switch looms for 2026

Williams Formula 1 junior Luke Browning says he “proved” himself enough to not need a second season in F2, as he prepares to switch to Super Formula next year.

The 23-year-old contested the Japanese championship’s post-season Suzuka test last week with the Toyota-powered Kondo Racing team, immediately after concluding his rookie F2 campaign where he finished fourth.

Racing for Hitech, the Briton scored a single win in the feature race at Monza and was a regular podium visitor with nine overall, having also led the championship after the first five weekends.

Browning has therefore ruled out a second season in F2 due to a strong rookie campaign and he is all but confirmed for Super Formula in 2026 as he works towards an F1 graduation. 

“I think I proved myself in F2,” said the 2022 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year winner. “I led the championship, had a pole position, and I won a race. We could have very easily won the championship had a few more things gone our way. 

“I think the decision to carry on and do a second year in F2 is made very early on in the season, as all the contracts are done so early. So at that point we made the decision not to do another year.

Luke Browning, Hitech TGR

Photo by: Formula Motorsport Ltd

“We could have won the championship, and then I wouldn't have been able to do another year anyway. So that was the reason for it.”

Browning participated in the second and third days of the Suzuka test, having been forced to skip the first day as he returned from his Abu Dhabi F1 test duties for Williams.

Driving the #3 Kondo car on Thursday and then swapping with team-mate Jack Doohan to sample the #4 on Friday, Browning ended up with the fifth-fastest time on the rookies-only final day, 0.661 seconds slower than pacesetter Ugo Ugochukwu for TOM’S.

Speaking prior to the final session of the test, Browning said: “I think Ugo was on a different engine map, which meant he was faster in a straight line, so he was about 10km/h quicker than us. 

“We were not comparing [ourselves] to him, but compared to the other cars we did a great job today, so we're looking strong.”

Browning brushed off concerns regarding Kondo’s tough 2025 season, in which the team placed seventh overall with a single podium finish.

“There's no shying away from the fact the team has had a tough year, but that doesn't mean that we're not going to have a great year going forward, if I am to come and race here, or that the car is not in a good place now,” said Browning.

“Honestly, I don't know the full extent of what happened and why the team struggled more than they wanted to. But what I can say is, this year, we've got off to a flying start, and we're looking into all the data to try and improve going forward.”