F1
Official: Williams will not participate in the Barcelona tests!
© DPPI
It was a possibility that threatened all teams; it is now a reality for WilliamsThe simultaneous arrival of new engine and aerodynamic regulations has forced teams to start from scratch at the dawn of the 2026 season, which carries its share of risks. The Grove-based team encountered one of these risks by failing to pass certain safety tests on its FW48. A real setback for the development of the car which will be piloted by Alex Albon et Carlos Sainz since the British announced that they were withdrawing from the pre-season tests in Barcelona scheduled for January 26-30.
“Atlassian Williams” F1 The team has made the decision not to participate in next week's shakedown test in Barcelona, due to delays in the FW48 program, as we continue to push to achieve maximum performance from the car. communicates the Grove formation. “Instead, the team will conduct a series of tests next week with the 2026 car, in order to prepare for the first official test in Bahrain and the first race of the season in Melbourne. We look forward to getting back on track in the coming weeks and would like to thank all our fans for their continued support – many great things await us together in 2026.”
This doesn't necessarily mean Williams will struggle in the upcoming season. The nine-time Constructors' World Champions still have two weeks to prepare for the second test session in Bahrain, and then, more importantly, for the first Grand Prix of the year in Melbourne on March 8th. However, it does mean that James Vowles' team has taken a wrong development path, resulting in the car failing to meet the FIA's regulatory requirements. They can only hope that the problem can be resolved without a complete redesign of the car's structure, which seems unlikely in such a short timeframe.
For Williams, this isn't the first time: in 2019, the team, then fielding George Russell and Robert Kubica, only started its pre-season testing on the third day in Barcelona due to assembly difficulties with its car. This marked the beginning of a long and difficult year for Williams, with Robert Kubica scoring just one point in Germany.
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Paul Lucas
24/01/2026 at 08:53 a.m.
Not a pointed O, but a way of not revealing it!
DALES
23/01/2026 at 05:40 a.m.
That's life! But don't be cruel! ;-)
Yves-Henri RANDIER
23/01/2026 at 04:06 a.m.
After McLaren, whose participation in the Montmelo test is uncertain, Williams has now withdrawn from the Barcelona tests... this is a bit of a mess! Are these two historic teams perhaps running behind schedule, while their supplier Mercedes has already finalized its 2026 car, as has customer BATT with its new Alpicedes?
Alain Féguenne (🇱🇺 Luxembourg)
23/01/2026 at 03:21 a.m.
Zero points for the Williams team… (sorry). They only realized it at the last minute, it's unprofessional 🚩🏴 😎Williams ‼️🧐