Williams debuts FW48 for 2026 F1 season in Silverstone shakedown

Williams has completed the first track running of its 2026 Formula 1 car, the FW48, during a shakedown at Silverstone. The team, which finished a strong fifth in the 2025 constructors' championship, was the only outfit to miss the collective pre-season test in Barcelona last week due to program delays, making this solo run a critical first step for its new-era challenger.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season represents one of the most significant technical regulation overhauls in F1 history, introducing 50% electrification, fully sustainable fuels, and active aerodynamics. For Williams, building on its recent competitive resurgence, a successful launch under these new rules is essential to cementing its place in the midfield and potentially closing the gap to the front.

The details:

• The shakedown took place at Silverstone on Wednesday, following the team's livery reveal event on Tuesday.
• Alex Albon was at the wheel for the initial running, as captured in a social media post showing the car—reportedly in a white camouflage livery—entering the pit lane.
• Team Principal James Vowles confirmed the team made the "incredibly painful" decision to skip the Barcelona test primarily over concerns about having enough spare parts ready for the start of the season, prioritizing long-term reliability over early track time.
• Despite the delayed start, Vowles expressed strong confidence in the car itself, stating, "the car itself is the best I’ve seen us produce here."

What's next:

All eyes now turn to the official pre-season test in Bahrain, where the true competitive order will begin to emerge. Vowles emphasized that real performance answers will only come there, noting it's "impossible to tell" where the car stands based on shakedown running alone. The FW48, representing the first car fully developed under Vowles' leadership and with input from new Technical Director Loic Serra, will be tasked with helping drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon convert the team's promising factory progress into consistent points.