The 2026 Williams Components 1 automotive lastly hit the monitor for the primary time with a shakedown at Silverstone only a week after the British squad skipped the Barcelona shakedown.
F1 hosted its first collective take a look at of the 2026 season final week with 5 days of personal working on the Catalan circuit, forward of the marketing campaign which introduces a regulation overhaul.
There are modifications to each the chassis and energy unit, so the championship launched an additional take a look at to assist the groups put together, however Williams introduced late on its intentions to skip the shakedown in Barcelona.
That was due to “delays within the FW48 programme” in response to staff boss James Vowles, claiming “the quantity of load going by means of our system is about thrice what it was once”.
So final week Williams as an alternative accomplished a VTT (Digital Observe Take a look at), which has similarities to a simulator however as an alternative entails placing a lot of the precise bodily automotive by means of a rig to copy an on-track take a look at.
Vowles then claimed at its 2026 livery launch occasion on Tuesday that it was “profitable”, including “we did the mileage that we wished to do” with the subsequent step being Wednesday’s shakedown on the dwelling of the British Grand Prix.
Williams FW48
Photograph by: Williams
Each Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz are confirmed to have taken half, however not within the official 2026 livery which is darkish blue and black, with shades of sunshine blue and white on the sidepods – as pictured above.
As an alternative, it ran a particular FW48 testing color scheme forward of its subsequent monitor look in Bahrain on 10 February for a second promotional filming day.
“This was a milestone day for us and it’s at all times a really proud second to see a brand new automotive on monitor for the primary time,” stated Vowles. “The staff has completely pulled collectively beneath the stress of the scenario and delivered a automotive at present for a deliberate promotional filming day right here at Silverstone.
“We have been in a position to perceive extra about our package deal in preparation for Bahrain subsequent week, and Carlos and Alex have been in a position to present some constructive suggestions to direct us, whereas additionally figuring out some minor points for us to wash up between every now and then. The push is not over but – that is just the start and there’s extra in entrance of us.”
After the Williams filming day in Bahrain the primary three-day official pre-season take a look at will start (11-13 February), earlier than the second take a look at on the circuit on 18-20 February forward of the 2026 Melbourne opener on 6-8 March.
“That’s shakedown achieved,” stated Albon. “Clearly a couple of bits of knowledge to take a look at and areas to enhance, however typically a reasonably clean day.
Williams FW48
Photograph by: Williams
“We had first rate climate for Silverstone at the moment of yr and glad to lastly be within the automotive and driving the FW48. Our full focus is on Bahrain now, wanting on the knowledge and preparing for the beginning of the season.”
Sainz added: “We simply had our first laps within the FW48. It’s at all times an thrilling, special occasion for the drivers, the mechanics and the whole staff and it’s been an excellent effort from everybody to get the automotive on monitor at present.
“It was a typical winter day at Silverstone, so we centered on getting in our first few laps and finishing our shakedown plan. We’re able to fly to Bahrain in a couple of days the place we’ll dive into extra full run plans, so I’m wanting ahead to it!”
Williams heads into this season after ending fifth within the 2025 championship, its greatest outcome since 2017, with two podiums from Sainz in Baku and Qatar.
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