Williams has announced that its 2026 Formula 1 challenger – the FW48 – will launch on February 3, and promises a “striking look”.
The Grove-based squad enjoyed a rejuvenation in 2025, finishing fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, and both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz finishing in the top 10 of the Drivers’ table.
It has already revealed a special livery it will use for its outing in the first pre-season test in Barcelona later this month, chosen by fans through an online vote.
Another key change for the team this year has been its rebranding, with a logo that harks back to its original, keeping it in touch with its heritage created by founder Sir Frank Williams.
2026, despite the unpredictability brought via the new regulations cycle, will be the first season in a long while that the James Vowles-led outfit will feel truly confident of further success.
Through Sainz, the team made its first appearance on the podium since 2021, with the Spaniard scoring two in both Baku and Qatar, helping it come out on top against its midfield rivals.
And despite not earning himself a top-three finish, Albon’s consistency was another key factor in the team’s rise back amongst the sharper end of the grid on a more regular basis.
Early whispers have indicated that Mercedes has produced one of the strongest – if not the strongest – power unit across the entire grid, and if true, it gives Williams – one of its three customers – a chance to fully place itself back on the map of the F1 big time.
The FW48’s first outing will be at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya across January 26-30, before two testing schedules in Bahrain next month.
READ MORE – The ‘very big contrasts’ that greeted Carlos Sainz at Williams
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