Williams completes FW48 shakedown at Silverstone with Sainz and Albon

Williams successfully ran its 2026 Formula 1 car, the FW48, for the first time during a shakedown at Silverstone, with drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon sharing positive first impressions. The session was crucial for the team, which was the only one to miss the collective Barcelona shakedown last week.

Why it matters:

A smooth first run is a critical morale and operational boost for any F1 team heading into a new season, especially for Williams which is working to solidify its progress in the midfield. This shakedown provides essential initial data and driver feedback before the intense pre-season testing begins in Bahrain, setting the tone for their winter development.

The details:

• The filming day at Silverstone allowed both drivers to complete their first laps in the new car, splitting driving duties.
• Driver Feedback: Carlos Sainz called it a "great effort" from the team to get the car on track, highlighting the special moment for everyone involved. Alex Albon reported a "fairly smooth day" with decent weather, noting the team would now analyze data and focus on improvements.
• Team Principal's View: James Vowles stated it was a "milestone day" and praised the team for pulling together under pressure to deliver the car for the planned session. He confirmed the run helped the team understand the package and identify minor issues to address before Bahrain.
• Logistics: Williams has a second filming day scheduled in Bahrain on February 10, just 24 hours before the official pre-season test commences at the same circuit.

What's next:

All attention now turns to Bahrain, where the real work begins. The team will use the data from Silverstone to refine the FW48 ahead of the second filming day and the crucial three-day test. How Williams performs in the Bahrain test will offer the first genuine indication of its competitive standing ahead of the 2026 season opener.