Written by Sean McKean
As the climax of the FIA F3 season looms large this weekend, one of the main protagonists in the title fight is Hitech’s Luke Browning. Before Monza, he sits third in the standings – only six points behind leader Leonardo Fornaroli and five behind second-placed Gabriele Minì.
That, however, isn’t the only storyline around him in the paddock.
Earlier in the week, Williams Racing announced that academy driver Franco Colapinto would be replacing the outgoing Logan Sargeant for the remainder of the season.
As a Williams Academy driver, one would think the discussions around F1 drives would be distracting, but Browning has his eyes set firmly on this weekend.
“I think the one thing, as you may see on social media, I get a glimpse of it, James [Vowles] is very good with words, he’s good with people, very good at motivating people. He puts a lot of faith into the people around him, and he’s put that faith into Hitech this year for me and given the job to them to develop me, and they’ve done a great job of it. I really think I’ve developed a lot this year,” he said.
The British driver – as stated – heads into this weekend as a title favourite, with two feature race victories thus far. Browning attributes this to a motivating atmosphere.
“It comes from a point of view where they’ve got the confidence to get me to the team to go, ‘This is now your baby to develop,’ or also back at the factory, I’ve got the opportunity to learn about engineering, I’ve got the opportunity to spend time on the sim.”
With an academy only comprising nine drivers – three of which actually in junior single-seaters – he gets the opportunity of being up close and personal with F1 machinery.
“I think the big thing is what motivates me is the opportunity to see it. As a junior driver, it’s so amazing to be able to walk into the back of the Formula 1 garage and see it all unfold, I think it’s quite surreal.
“You come from F4, you get thrown into FIA F3 last year, not expecting to be in it whatsoever or never even believing that this was going to happen, and then a year down the line, you’re walking in the back of the Williams F1 garage going, ‘Hey, in a couple years, you could be sat in that.’ It’s pretty motivating,” he continues.
Now the season finale of the season, Browning attributes some successes to the maturity of the leaders around him.
“I think that’s what James gives you, it gives you that perception, it’s what he’s very good at. And this year, I think it’s the perception of what’s going on around me and trying to manage everything out of my control, and I think his maturity has helped this year.”
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