Williams has completed a shakedown at Silverstone following its disastrous absence from the Formula 1 Barcelona shakedown last week.
Williams suffered an embarrassing start to 2026 after it missed the Barcelona shakedown test due to delays preparing the new FW48 for its first run.
History seemed to be repeating itself, Williams having missed two days of pre-season testing in 2019 due to similar issues.
Team Principal James Vowles took to social media to explain the decision, admitting the team had pushed its limits in the off-season to develop the car.
Suggestions the car had failed crash test were also addressed, Vowles confirming that the FW48 has now cleared all necessary safety hurdles.
With the first official pre-season test only a matter of days away, Williams had yet to run its car, putting it at a potential disadvantage ahead of the first race in Australia.
However Williams has now got its season back on track by conducting a private shakedown test at Silverstone, Alex Albon taking the wheel of the FW48.
Preparations for the test were extensive, with Albon and team-mate Carlos Sainz undertaking simulator work while the car was prepared.
Details on the car are difficult to quantify from the pictures released, the team opting to keep its card close to its chest for the shakedown.
Williams now heads to Bahrain for F1’s first official pre-season test between February 11th and 13th in Sakhir, with significantly less mileage than its rivals.
READ MORE – Williams ends longstanding F1 rumour with FW48 details
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