Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Formula 1
Ryan Smart
Williams reserve driver Luke Browning narrowly avoided a horror crash with team-mate Alex Albon during first practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Browning was one of six 'rookie' drivers competing in the session due to F1's new practice rules, which require each team to field a rookie driver - who has two or fewer F1 race appearances - in two different sessions throughout the season.
Alongside the Brit were Ayumu Iwasa (Red Bull), Dino Beganovic (Ferrari), Frederik Vesti (Mercedes), Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin) and Ryo Hirakawa (Haas).
All six rookies were able to get significant mileage under their belts, with only Kimi Antonelli - who completed just three laps - being affected by a car issue during the session.
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Browning finished in a respectable 12th place - the highest finishing position of any of the reserve drivers competing in practice.
But he narrowly avoided a horror incident with his own team-mate heading into the fast turn 13.
Browning, who was on a flying lap, was coming around the flat-out turn 12 when Albon veered to the right, causing the Brit to take evasive action to avoid what could have been a terrifying accident.
Aston Martin driver Drugovich, who was immediately behind Albon, said over team radio: "Wow, that was close."
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The incident appeared to be a high-speed miscommunication between the two drivers, as Albon was moving off the racing line to allow Browning through.
However, the rookie had already committed to the other line.
Thankfully for Williams, no damage was done, and Albon finished in fourth place to cap off what had been another promising session.
The Thai driver has collected 18 points from the opening three race weekends, meaning he splits Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the standings.
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Williams are also in fifth place in the Constructors' Championship in what has been a highly encouraging start to the season for the team.