At last, the 2026 Williams Formula 1 car has taken to the track for its inaugural run during a shakedown at Silverstone, just a week after the British team opted out of testing in Barcelona.
Last week marked the first collective test for the 2026 season, where teams enjoyed five days of private practice at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This season is particularly significant as it brings about a comprehensive overhaul of regulations that affect both chassis and power units, prompting the championship to introduce an additional test session to assist teams in their preparations. However, Williams made a late announcement regarding their decision to forgo the Barcelona shakedown due to "delays in the FW48 program," as stated by team principal James Vowles, who explained that "the amount of load going through our system is about three times what it used to be."
Instead of participating in the Barcelona shakedown, Williams opted for a Virtual Track Test (VTT). This innovative approach resembles simulator testing but involves using the actual car mounted on a rig to simulate on-track conditions. Vowles later remarked during the launch event for their 2026 livery that the VTT was "successful," noting, "we did the mileage that we aimed for," with plans now shifting towards Wednesday's shakedown at the iconic home of the British Grand Prix.
Both drivers, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, participated in this initial shakedown, although not in the official 2026 livery, which features dark blue and black with accents of light blue and white on the sidepods. Instead, the car sported a unique testing color scheme ahead of its next appearance scheduled in Bahrain on February 10 for another promotional filming day.
"This was a milestone day for us, and witnessing a new car on the track for the first time fills me with pride," said Vowles. "The team has come together exceptionally well under pressure to deliver a car for today’s planned promotional shoot here at Silverstone. We gained valuable insights into our setup in preparation for Bahrain next week, and both Carlos and Alex provided positive feedback to guide us, while also identifying a few minor issues that we can address before then. The journey is far from over – this is merely the beginning, and we have much work ahead of us."
Following the Williams filming day in Bahrain, the first official pre-season test is set to take place from February 11 to 13, followed by a second test from February 18 to 20, leading up to the season opener in Melbourne on March 6-8.
"That’s the shakedown completed," Albon commented. "Of course, we have some data to analyze and areas to refine, but overall, it was a relatively smooth day."
"We were fortunate with the weather at Silverstone, especially for this time of year, and I’m thrilled to finally be behind the wheel of the FW48. Our complete focus is now on Bahrain, where we will analyze the data and prepare for the onset of the season," he added.
Sainz echoed similar sentiments: "Having our first laps in the FW48 is always an exhilarating experience for us drivers, the mechanics, and the entire team. It’s been a tremendous effort from everyone to get the car ready for today’s track debut. Given the typical winter weather at Silverstone, we concentrated on completing our initial laps and executing our shakedown plan. We’re excited to head to Bahrain in a few days, where we’ll dive deeper into more comprehensive running plans. I’m really looking forward to it!"
As Williams embarks on this new season, they do so buoyed by a commendable fifth-place finish in the 2025 championship, marking their best result since 2017, which included two podium finishes secured by Sainz in Baku and Qatar.
What are your thoughts on Williams' journey this season? Do you believe they can build on last year's success, or are there challenges ahead that could hinder their progress? Share your views in the comments!
