Williams has announced that Barclays has joined the team as a new sponsor, branding the union between the Formula 1 team and the banking giants as “uniting to British icons”.
The Grove-based squad had previously had Spanish banking firm Santander as a sponsor, for which driver Carlos Sainz serves as an ambassador.
But the team, poised to reveal its livery for the 2026 season later today [Tuesday], has opted to go with a fellow UK concern.
The move is a sentimental one for the team also, explaining that Barclays had previously served the team’s own finances, as well as that of its founder, the late Sir Frank Williams.
“We are delighted to welcome Barclays into the sport as Official Banking Partner to Atlassian Williams F1 Team,” said Team Principal James Vowles.
“As we prepare for one of the most significant regulatory changes in Formula 1 history, we’re preparing to seize the opportunities of the new era together with Barclays as we continue investing for long-term success.”
News of the new “global partnership” will come as a welcome positive for the team, which has been at the centre of speculation and difficulty in the last couple of weeks.
Amid rumours of failed mandatory crash tests and struggles with an apparently overweight chassis for the new FW48, Williams made the decision to withdraw from the Barcelona pre-season test last week.
The situation led to Vowles addressing the rumours, and confirmed that after a private shakedown, the new car will appear in Bahrain for the official test schedules next week and the week after.
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