Williams has announced it will skip the opening pre-season shakedown test in Barcelona from January 26-30, 2026, owing to delays in its FW48 car development. The team cited a push for maximum performance as the reason, opting instead for virtual testing to prepare for later events. This marks the first major setback for a team under the new F1 regulations.
Formula 1 enters a new era in 2026 with overhauled technical regulations, including active aerodynamics and a near-50:50 split between combustion and electric power. Amid this transition, Williams faces challenges with its car build programme. The team revealed it will not participate in the Barcelona shakedown test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, scheduled for January 26-30, where teams can run for three days out of five.
In a statement, Williams said: “Williams F1 Team has taken the decision not to participate in next week’s shakedown test in Barcelona following delays in the FW48 programme as we continue to push for maximum car performance.” Instead, the Grove-based outfit will conduct a series of tests, including a Virtual Test Track (VTT) programme with the 2026 car, to ready itself for the first official test in Bahrain from February 11-13 and the season opener in Melbourne.
Drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will miss the Barcelona running, potentially limiting them to three days each across the Bahrain tests. Reports differ on the exact cause: while some sources indicate struggles with FIA crash tests, others confirm the chassis has passed requirements, suggesting a self-identified design issue, possibly in core architecture like the monocoque or suspension, requiring reinforcement for performance.
This situation echoes Williams' past difficulties, such as in 2019 when financial woes led to missed testing days, and 2024's production delays. Unlike then, Williams is now well-funded by owner Dorilton Capital. The team finished fifth in the 2025 constructors' championship with two podiums, and principal James Vowles had emphasized avoiding repeats of prior issues. Williams has completed a factory fire-up and plans multi-day virtual testing starting this weekend to mitigate the setback.