Car Development
Williams misses Barcelona test due to 2026 car delays
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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 teams entered a five-week break after the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to Middle East conflict. Ferrari chassis technical director Loic Serra stated that the Scuderia's long-term development plans remain unchanged. He noted that missing two races has only a minor impact on progress ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.