The 2026 Williams Formula 1 car, known as the FW48, has finally taken to the track after facing production delays that prevented it from participating in the initial week of preseason testing. This long-awaited moment occurred during a promotional filming session at Silverstone on Wednesday.
Notably, Williams stood out as the sole team absent from last week's shakedown test held in Barcelona due to the inability to finalize its 2026 vehicle in time. To compensate for this setback, the team undertook an extensive virtual track testing program prior to the car's debut, which was showcased at the Silverstone event. During this filming day, both drivers, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, had the opportunity to get behind the wheel.
Additionally, this occasion allowed Williams to unveil the interim testing livery that fans had voted for, which they had initially intended to showcase in Barcelona. Earlier this week, the team revealed its more understated race livery, marking a significant moment in their preparations.
Looking ahead, Williams has announced plans for another promotional filming day scheduled for February 10 in Bahrain, just one day before the second group test of the season commences at the same circuit. It's important to note that teams are restricted to a maximum of 200 kilometers during these promotional days and must utilize a specific type of tire distinct from those used in actual F1 races.
Team principal James Vowles expressed his pride in seeing the new car on the track, emphasizing that this moment represents a crucial milestone for the team. He acknowledged the collective effort of the team members who worked under pressure to ensure the car was ready for the promotional event. Vowles noted, "We were able to understand more about our package in preparation for Bahrain next week, and Carlos and Alex were able to provide some positive feedback to direct us, while also identifying some minor issues for us to clean up between now and then. The push isn't over yet - this is just the beginning and there is more in front of us."
As anticipation builds, the first race of the 2026 season is set to occur on March 8 in Melbourne, Australia, marking the official start of what promises to be an exciting year in Formula 1.
