Having missed the five-day Barcelona shakedown take a look at, Williams has taken its first main step towards the 2026 Components One season, finishing the debut run of its all‑new FW48 at Silverstone.
The automobile appeared within the putting ‘Circulate State’ livery — a design chosen straight by followers in a worldwide vote — as Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz shared driving duties throughout a promotional filming day.
The Northamptonshire outing marked the primary time the FW48 has been seen on observe, giving supporters an early glimpse of the machine that can carry Williams into the brand new laws period.
The ‘Circulate State’ livery was chosen from six competing ideas as a part of the staff’s ‘Your Livery’ initiative, which drew virtually 55,000 votes from followers throughout 162 nations over a seven‑day interval in December. The undertaking types a part of Williams’ broader dedication to bringing followers nearer to the game by means of digital engagement and dwell activations.
The shakedown additionally represented the primary observe look for a number of new industrial companions who joined the staff over the winter, together with Barclays, Claude, BNY, Wilkinson Sword and Nuveen. Their arrival provides additional momentum to Williams’ rising roster of worldwide manufacturers supporting the staff’s lengthy‑time period transformation.
The Silverstone run got here simply at some point after the FW48’s official race livery was unveiled to the 1,200‑robust workforce at Grove — a second that recognised the tens of hundreds of hours invested in getting ready the automobile for the 2026 season.
Staff Principal James Vowles described the day as a major milestone for the organisation. “This was a milestone day for us and it’s all the time a really proud second to see a brand new automobile on observe for the primary time,” he stated.
“The staff has completely pulled collectively underneath the strain of the scenario and delivered a automobile as we speak for a deliberate promotional filming day right here at Silverstone.
“We had been in a position to perceive extra about our package deal in preparation for Bahrain subsequent week, and Carlos and Alex had been in a position to present some constructive suggestions to direct us, whereas additionally figuring out some minor points for us to scrub up between every now and then. The push is not over but – that is just the start and there may be extra in entrance of us.”
Albon reported a productive and largely hassle‑free first outing. “That’s shakedown completed! Clearly just a few bits of knowledge to take a look at and areas to enhance, however typically a reasonably easy day,” he stated.
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— Atlassian Williams F1 Staff (@WilliamsF1) February 4, 2026
“We had respectable climate for Silverstone presently of 12 months and glad to lastly be within the automobile and driving the FW48. Our full focus is on Bahrain now, wanting on the information and preparing for the beginning of the season.”
Sainz echoed the sense of progress and anticipation as he accomplished his first laps in Williams colors. “We simply had our first laps within the FW48! It’s all the time an thrilling, special occasion for the drivers, the mechanics and all the staff and it’s been an incredible effort from everybody to get the automobile on observe as we speak,” he stated.
“It was a typical winter day at Silverstone, so we centered on getting in our first few laps and finishing our shakedown plan. We’re able to fly to Bahrain in just a few days the place we’ll dive into extra full run plans, so I’m wanting ahead to it!”
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