Luke Browning, the ART Grand Prix driver, once again found himself in the points as he climbed through the order to P7 in the final Sprint Race of the season. Starting from 17th on the grid after a challenging Qualifying session where confidence seemed to be lacking, Browning's rebound in the Sprint was a significant positive in just his third F2 weekend.

From Qualifying Struggles to Sprint Race Success

Qualifying Challenges and Adaptation

The Williams Racing Driver Academy member faced difficulties during Qualifying. As Browning explains, "We were just struggling with drivability and generally with pace. It was a bit confusing for everyone, not only me but the team as well. But we seem to have got our head around it now." This initial setback didn't deter him as he was determined to make a mark in the Sprint Race.

Despite the tough start, Browning remained focused and ready to give his best. He knew that every lap counted and that he had to make the most of the opportunity.

Sprint Race Strategy and Execution

In the Sprint Race, Browning's strategy paid off. He started well and managed to stay out of trouble at the start. As he put it, "My start was like a rocket ship. It might have been one of the best starts on the grid. I jumped up next to Ollie and then we got squeezed together but didn't have any issues off the start."

Managing the Pirelli tyres was crucial in the shorter Sprint event. Browning was very happy with the pace while fighting with rivals. He said, "It was tough. F2 is not easy, but the majority of the work was done in the early laps - positioning on the opening lap. Then I just brought it home really. The race was pretty simple after that, just trying to stay in the DRS and manage the tyres."

Looking Ahead to the Final Race

With one final race on the agenda for 2024, Browning is feeling positive about his and the team's chances. He acknowledges that everyone will take a step forward after having the experience from the first race. However, he remains hopeful that their step will be bigger.

As he said, "Let's see how we go. I think there'll be more opportunities. Everyone will take a step forward, but hopefully our step's bigger than everyone else's."