Williams’ new FW47 hits the track at Silverstone

Williams Racing has pulled back the curtain on its 2025 Formula 1 challenger, the FW47, showcasing its car and new title partner Atlassian in a dark blue one-off livery at Silverstone on Friday morning.

The car’s permanent wardrobe will make its grand debut at F1’s first-ever collective launch at the O2 Arena in London next week.

To make things even more exciting, Williams live-streamed the new car’s first shakedown, with new recruit Carlos Sainz taking the new design its maiden spin.

Vowles: Building for the Future

Williams's steady resurgence continues under the stewardship of team boss James Vowles, who has spent the offseason refining the team's processes, ditching outdated tools like Microsoft Excel for something a bit more… 21st century.

Vowles has been candid about Williams's ambitions and the timeframe needed to see them come to life. While 2025 offers a stepping stone for progress, the team's eyes are firmly fixed on the transformative 2026 regulation changes and the seasons that follow.

During the launch event, Vowles laid out the long-term vision for the team.

“You’re going to see us progress forwards but what I’ve always said is we’ve put our focus into 2026, ‘27 and ‘28,” Vowles explained. “We’re developing elements that come online as a result of that.

“We have this year huge infrastructure changes that have come online. We were 700 people, now over 1050 today and we’re not finished yet. There’s a lot more in the pipeline. That’s all happening in the background.

“What I want to make sure that we’re doing is not just the short term, little bit of gain at the cost of the long term. We’re here to make sure we’re back to winning championships, to do that it will take a little bit more time but that’s the investment we’re doing.”

Still, Williams fans shouldn’t feel left out in the cold for 2025. Vowles added a glimmer of hope for the coming season: “Watch our pathway, this should be a good one this year.”

Sainz Steps In, Albon Stays the Course

The arrival of Sainz from Ferrari marks a new chapter for Williams. The Spanish driver got a taste of his new team during the Abu Dhabi post-season test last December and has been fully immersed since January.

His presence not only brings experience but also a star factor that Williams hasn’t enjoyed in years.

Meanwhile, Alex Albon remains a constant at the team, entering his fourth season with the British outfit.

Albon’s journey since leaving Red Bull has been one of redemption, but with a driver like Sainz on board, the pressure is on for the Thai-British driver to deliver his best season yet.

New Partnerships and New Horizons

Adding to the excitement for 2025, Williams has secured a major title sponsorship deal with Atlassian, an Australian software company.

The collaboration signals not just financial stability but also a modernized and forward-thinking approach under Vowles’s leadership.

As the FW47 gears up for its first laps, all signs point to Williams moving steadily toward reclaiming its place among F1's elite.

But for now, the spotlight shines on the team’s newest machine, its fresh star signing, and the promise of a brighter future.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.