Luke Browning, reserve driver for Williams in Formula 1, has shown impressive pace in his second weekend in Super Formula, where he finished fourth in the race held in Motegi.
Starting from 21st position on the grid, Browning achieved the best result for Kondo Racing in nearly a year, with a strategy that included a mandatory pit stop on the penultimate lap.
The recently renovated Motegi track exhibited low tire degradation, allowing several drivers, including Nirei Fukuzumi, who finished third, to gain time with an overcut strategy.
Additionally, Browning benefited from initial leader Toshiki Oyu, who suffered from pace issues and held up a number of vehicles including Zak O’Sullivan, creating space for Browning after his stop.
“Our pace justified it,” Browning stated. His best lap time, 1m31.870s, was recorded on lap 33 of the 37 that constituted the race. “I couldn’t believe I could maintain this pace,” he added, highlighting his experience in managing tire degradation learned in previous competitions like Formula 3 and Formula 2.
This good result contrasted with the opening on Saturday, which was marked by rain, where he initially finished 14th but was later disqualified to 20th position due to a penalty for contact with O’Sullivan.
Browning expressed his satisfaction with the evolution of his performance but also warned that he doesn’t want to get carried away by success. With his sights set on the next round at Autopolis, a new circuit for him, he claims he will start from scratch. “We have a new track and new strategies will need to be learned depending on the temperature,” he concluded.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
