Williams won’t participate in subsequent week’s Method 1 pre-season take a look at at Barcelona, the staff has revealed.
F1 will reconvene subsequent week on the Catalan observe because the world championship’s new period begins, with overhauled technical rules that includes lively aerodynamics and a near-50:50 break up between combustion and electrical energy.
F1 squads have been open concerning the scale of the problem offered by the revamped guidelines, and Williams’ automotive growth has been delayed to the extent that Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz gained’t run within the Barcelona take a look at. The occasion is scheduled from 26-30 January, with each outfit allowed three days of working out of 5.
“Williams F1 Crew has taken the choice to not take part in subsequent week’s shakedown take a look at in Barcelona following delays within the FW48 programme as we proceed to push for max automotive efficiency,” an announcement from the Grove-based outfit reads.
Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon on the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures
“The staff will as a substitute conduct a sequence of checks together with a VTT [Virtual Test Track] programme subsequent week with the 2026 automotive to arrange for the primary official take a look at in Bahrain and the primary race of the season in Melbourne.
“We’re trying ahead to getting on observe within the coming weeks and wish to thank all our followers on your continued assist – there’s a lot to look ahead to collectively in 2026.”
The second pre-season take a look at is happening in Bahrain from 11-13 February, with loads of time for Williams to fulfill that deadline.
The hardship is paying homage to the 2019 pre-season, at a time when Williams was in a dire monetary scenario. That 12 months, the staff missed its personal deliberate shakedown in addition to the primary two days of the collective Barcelona take a look at, finishing restricted working within the subsequent two.
The context is completely different these days, with the outfit nicely funded by proprietor Dorilton Capital, however equally there was no vital regulatory overhaul again in 2019.
Learn Additionally:
We would like your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Crew
