Williams talent Luke Browning reveals valuable advice he received from Verstappen

This season, Browning is closely involved with Williams as an official reserve driver. The 24-year-old Brit combines those duties with a program in Japanese Super Formula and is meanwhile racking up more and more mileage in a Formula 1 car. In Austria and Monza, he took part in FP1 this season with the FW48.

In Monza, Browning took over Alexander Albon’s F1 car. He completed 29 laps and finished the session in fifteenth, one position ahead of full-time Williams driver Carlos Sainz. In addition to his work on track, Browning spends a lot of time in the simulator and, as part of the Williams Driver Academy, gets the chance to learn from experienced F1 drivers.

Verstappen is one of the drivers with whom Browning has discussed racing. Asked about the most valuable advice the four-time world champion gave him, Browning doesn’t have to think long: "He said don't think too much, which is quite funny. Because Max just along the line said 'believe in your talent, go and do the job,'" Browning tells GPblog.

According to the Brit, there’s more to it than just a simple pointer. Drivers prepare braking points and various scenarios extensively, but once in the car, he says there’s often no time to consciously think through every action.

Especially when a Formula 1 car starts moving at high speed, that automatic reaction is important, according to Browning: "Sometimes when the car's moving underneath you at milliseconds at a time, that's the only way that you can react quick enough. So I think you've got to trust in your ability to learn, prepare, and then when you go to the circuit, don't think too much about every outcome, don't try and overthink through it all. Just focus on what you're doing. Do the job."

Verstappen’s influence for Browning isn’t limited to driving advice. The Williams reserve also follows with interest what the Dutchman does outside Formula 1. Verstappen now combines his F1 career with his own racing project and has gotten behind the wheel of a GT3 car himself.

Browning would likewise like to try different disciplines in the long term: "I'd love to do loads of racing. I want to race in every category. You see Max going in racing in GT3s. I have a massive passion for motorsport in all forms. I'd even like to go and do some motorbike racing at some point, but I think maybe I have to wait a little bit for that one."

The latter won’t be easy during his current career. Browning acknowledges that his contract doesn’t simply allow him to hop on a motorcycle. Verstappen has also previously indicated he’d like to try a MotoGP machine, but doesn’t get permission for that.

When it’s put to Browning that consciously thinking behind the wheel can actually cause mistakes because there’s simply no time to react to everything, he’s clear: "Exactly, you can't react to everything, so it is what it is."

On the observation that ultimately it mostly comes down to instinct, he replies: "Precisely, yeah. Hopefully my instinct is quick enough."