Williams unveils 2026 livery and previews its most complex FW48

Williams unveiled the 2026 FW48 livery, a white‑and‑cyan scheme featuring Komatsu and new partner Barclays branding. The team calls the car its most aerodynamically complex to date, but it missed the Barcelona test and will rely on Bahrain sessions and virtual testing to catch up.

Why it matters:

The FW48 represents a strategic pivot – Williams halted 2025 development to concentrate resources on a more advanced 2026 chassis. A fresh livery highlights the technical ambition, while missing the Barcelona test leaves the team trailing rivals that have already logged thousands of kilometres.

The details:

• Livery – White sidepod and rear wing with Komatsu logos; cyan‑blue Barclays accents. A fan‑chosen “flow state” design (navy lines on white) will appear at Bahrain testing.
• Aerodynamics – Vowles says the car’s aero is “a lot more complex” than any previous Williams design, featuring a hybrid‑style layout beyond the generic 2026 showcar.
• Testing – After missing Barcelona, Williams completed an intensive virtual track test (VTT) covering chassis, engine, gearbox and cooling. A shakedown is planned before the first Bahrain test.

What's next:

Williams will run two three‑day Bahrain pre‑season tests to gather real‑track data on the FW48’s aerodynamic performance and its Mercedes power unit. Vowles stresses that true performance will be judged on‑track, and the opening races will reveal whether the “best car we have built” can translate into competitive lap times.