In a surprising move, Williams Racing is set to replace Carlos Sainz in the first practice session of the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix. This decision comes as the FIA requires all Formula 1 teams to allocate practice time to rookie drivers. As a result, 23-year-old British racer Luke Browning will step in for the FP1 session at the Bahrain International Circuit, giving him an opportunity to showcase his skills on a grand stage.
The 2025 F1 season has marked a significant upturn for Williams, with the team securing 19 points in just three races, surpassing last year’s performance. While Alex Albon has been a dominant force in collecting these points, Carlos Sainz remains in the transitional phase, adapting to his new equipment. However, this upcoming Friday, Sainz will observe FP1 from the garage, witnessing Browning take the wheel.
Luke Browning, who joined the Williams junior program in 2023, previously participated in the FP1 session at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the post-season testing at Yas Marina Circuit. His current engagement with Hitech TGR in the 2025 F2 Championship empowers him with ample racing experience, positioning him as a promising talent within the Williams development team.
Carlos Sainz, transitioning from Ferrari to Williams after Lewis Hamilton took his previous seat, has managed to score only one point this season. He experienced an unfortunate crash in Australia, a P10 finish in China, and came 14th in Japan. Additionally, Sainz faced penalties in Suzuka, including a grid place penalty for impeding Lewis Hamilton and a €20,000 fine for a late arrival at the pre-race national anthem.
Despite these challenges, Williams’ team principal, James Vowles, remains optimistic about Sainz’s potential to adapt and contribute significantly. Speaking to Motorsport.com, Vowles expressed confidence in a timeline for Sainz’s improvement, highlighting the margin for closing the performance gap between him and Alex Albon.
As the Bahrain Grand Prix approaches, Williams, holding the fifth position on the leaderboard, anticipates strengthening their stance in the competition. Albon has consistently finished in the top 10, but the team’s aspirations would soar if Sainz could match his stride. This strategic choice to let Browning race in FP1 could accelerate this goal, offering fresh insights and experience to the promising rookie without disrupting the pace of the seasoned drivers.
The decision to temporarily replace Carlos Sainz in FP1 underscores Williams Racing’s commitment to nurturing young talent while remaining competitive. This approach not only complies with FIA’s mandates for rookies but also strategically positions Williams for a robust performance throughout the season. The potential outcomes of this shift could influence the dynamics of the team and potentially propel them further up the leaderboard if Sainz can rebound and close the performance gap.
