Browning says he is ‘ready to win’ Formula 3 title ahead of Monza title showdown

Luke Browning is feeling confident ahead of the season-finale in Monza, with the Hitech Pulse-Eight driver positive he can come out on top in the title decider on Italian soil.

The Briton is currently third in the Drivers’ Championship on 123 points, trailing leader Leonardo Fornaroli by just six points. Speaking ahead of the final round, Browning is drawing on previous title-winning experience in a bid to become Formula 3 Champion.

READ MORE: Lindblad planning to ‘send it’ at Monza as he has nothing to lose in title showdown

“Confident,” said Browning when asked how he was feeling going to Monza. “We were very strong last year in the race, came from 27th on the grid to P5 in the Sprint Race before I think some penalties happened, but our pace has been super strong, so it will be interesting.

“I think Qualifying now with the two groups makes it a little bit more consistent. I am only six points behind, there has been bigger swings than that each round this year, so we are well positioned for it.

“I think looking back I have been in this situation three times now, I have come out on top twice with British F4, GB3, so I am confident that I can come out on top again.”

By his own admission, Browning has had a particularly good season, thanks to his two victories, two Pole Positions and three podiums.

But since his last victory in Spielberg, his results have been mixed, with just three point scoring results following – his best coming at the Spa-Francorchamps Feature when he finished sixth.

Browning was happy to have the summer break that came right after the Belgian weekend having had five rounds in six weeks. Looking back on that month and a half of racing though, he was happy with his and Hitech’s performance.

“Red Bull Ring, we put it on pole by ourselves with no tow and won the race in quite a dominant fashion,” he explained. “Fast forward to the next weekend in Silverstone, we put in on pole, led every lap of the race until it dried up and the slick runners from the back came forward.

READ MORE: Mansell aiming to end 2024 with no regrets ahead of Monza title decider

“I look back on it now and what a different place we would be in if that didn't happen. But everyone has those throughout the year, it’s irrelevant. But if we can do this with all the challenges that we have had this year I think it would be super special.

“We have been so fast this year, especially in Qualifying, the Feature Races as well, I think the first six Feature Races we weren't outside the top six, which is exactly what it is about.

“I think the Sprint Races have let us down this year. These fine margins make the difference. We look back to Spa, in the Sprint Race and I think if I would have gone over track limits one less time, I'd be equal on points with the lead of the Championship going into the last round.

“But that's racing, everyone is in the same boat and we are where we are. We've had some luck go our way, some bad luck come, but I think generally as a person I have been very lucky, lucky Luke I think as the old Spanish cartoon says. So, I believe I’ve been lucky and hopefully it shows in Monza.”

Browning continued to reflect on his 2024 campaign this time from a team point of view, explaining the work he and Hitech did before the year to help put them in this position.

Goethe: Championship hopes slim but aiming to end improved 2024 on a high in Monza

“What's been really special about this year is we know why we are quick everywhere,” said Browning. “We are the most consistent because we understand what is going on.

“We did so much research into last year, research into me, and my driving, understanding how I am influencing the car and what I can do better and how I can relay my feedback better to the engineers to make it clearer.

“We are all speaking the same language and we are really on top of things. We have had such confidence throughout the year, whether it's our Qualifying choices, whether it be to save tyres in Free Practice before going and poling it in Silverstone.

“We are just confident as a team, and that is Hitech's philosophy. They have faith in the drivers and I have complete faith in the engineering team, and I think we've done a great job this year and it's shown.”

His focus now shifts to Monza and while he spent some time on holiday, Browning has been working hard to prepare for the Temple of Speed. With six points separating the top three, he says that makes his job this weekend simpler.

Showtime in Singapore: Piotr Wisnicki’s dream race weekend

“I couldn't do any more work over the four weeks break to be honest,” he added. “Maybe a lot of people were on holiday but I was, as you say in Italian, ‘lavorare,’ working hard. So, I hope the work pays off. I'm confident that I don't think anyone is doing the same prep that I am so hopefully it works out.

“If I put it on pole and I win the Feature it doesn't really matter what happens in the Sprint, so we will see, it puts it in our hands. I am confident, I am excited, I love Formula 3, it was a dream for me to be here a couple years ago, now I feel like a veteran, so I am ready to win this and move on.”