LUKE BROWNING AMABA PRIZE FORMULA ONE TEST DRIVE

“An absolute dream.” A maiden Formula 1 run, with AMABA winner Luke Browning

2022 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award winner Luke Browning was able to claim the final part of his prestigious prize this week; eight runs around the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in an Aston Martin AMR21.

The BRDC SuperStar and 2022 GB3 Championship partnered by the BRDC title holder completed some short installation runs, before heading out on hard and then soft Pirelli tyres, building up to some final high-speed push runs.

After he finished for the day, Luke was able to take some time to speak with Autosport’s Megan White, giving her his thoughts on a day that he will remember for the rest of his life. Here, in his own words, is what he said.

“It was like a dream come true. It was just as fast as anyone might think it could be, and the power, the brakes, and high-speed downforce is just incredible. It’s a day I’ll always remember, and I have to say I’m just so grateful to the BRDC, to Derek [Warwick], to Autosport, Aston Martin and to everyone involved who makes this possible for young racing drivers. It’s the biggest prize for a youngster coming up and I’m very grateful. I’m just lost for words.

“Even only last week, I was thinking it was coming up pretty quickly, and I couldn’t really believe it was going to happen. It only sank in when I walked into the garage, saw everything set up, and there was an F1 car sat there. You just can't quite believe it's your seat, and it's got your name on the halo. It’s an absolute dream, so I’m just very, very thankful.

“I thought it was going to be rawer, but it's like the best sports car on the market. You get in it, and it's incredibly powerful, but it's smooth and it feels drivable. It's confidence inducing. Okay, it's a bit scary initially when you turn into Copse and you're doing nearly 200 miles an hour, but equally, the point at which you're most loaded feels the most comfortable. Once you get past that phase of being scared, it's just there. It's a bit like dropping off a ramp on a skateboard. It's a similar thing.

“My goal for the day was to go flat through Copse. I knew not many people take it flat on the data, and I went to bed last night thinking ‘Copse, I want to take it flat.’ I went out for the first time on new tyres and bam, I committed, and the grip was there, and it was available. I achieved my goals and everyone at Aston Martin was super complimentary. I'm very grateful for the support and they were so welcoming, so for that I'm really grateful.”