Williams skips Barcelona shakedown, bets on Mercedes edge for 2026

Williams chose to skip the crucial five-day 2026 car shakedown in Barcelona due to "delays in the FW48 programme," a decision that raised eyebrows given the team's late and overweight car issues in 2024. However, Team Principal James Vowles framed the move as a strategic choice to protect spare parts and update schedules for the early season, expressing confidence in the team's preparation through alternative virtual testing and its technical partnership with Mercedes.

Why it matters:

For a team on a clear upward trajectory—climbing from last to fifth in the constructors' championship over five years and now boasting a strong driver lineup with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz—any hint of operational delay is scrutinized. This decision tests the prevailing 2026 philosophy, echoed by bosses like Ferrari's Fred Vasseur, that a strong finishing development rate matters more than a fast start under the new regulations. Williams's gamble highlights the balancing act between immediate track time and long-term seasonal reliability.

The details:

• Vowles clarified Williams "could have made it to Barcelona," but doing so would have compromised the spare parts pool and update plans for the opening rounds, a trade-off he was unwilling to make.
• He revealed the team is conducting an extensive Virtual Test Track (VTT) program instead. This rig-based system uses most of the physical car (minus wings) to simulate track conditions, cooling loads, and different race scenarios (like running in traffic or varying climates).
• Mercedes Advantage: Vowles emphasized a key silver lining: Williams's deep technical tie-up with Mercedes, its power unit and gearbox supplier. Learning from Mercedes's Barcelona running, where its drivers completed 183 laps including a full race simulation, directly benefits Williams.
• Focus on Reliability: The VTT work is heavily focused on characterizing a new cooling system and eradicating the reliability woes that plagued the team last year, aiming for a car that is "ready to go" from the first Bahrain test.

What's next:

The true cost or benefit of missing the shakedown will only become clear in Bahrain. Williams has scheduled six days of official pre-season testing there (February 11-13 and 18-20). Vowles is "confident" the team will not be behind, banking on Mercedes's early engine strength and the controlled data gathered from its virtual testing. If the FW48 arrives in Bahrain reliable and on schedule, the Barcelona skip will be seen as a prudent logistical move. If not, pressure will mount quickly on the team's revived ambitions.