Williams has confirmed that it will miss next week’s F1 pre-season shakedown at Barcelona, raising concerns over the team’s readiness as the sport enters a new era of technical regulations.
The Circuit de Catalunya, which will host the opening pre-season test from 26–30 January, will serve as the proving ground for this year’s innovations that include active aerodynamics and a near-50:50 split between combustion and electric power.
The Grove-based outfit revealed that delays in the build-up of its FW48 car will prevent its drivers, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, from taking part in the Barcelona running.
McLaren has also announced that won’t be running on the opening day of the behind-closed-doors test in which teams will be authorized to run on a maximum of three of the allocated five days.
Williams’ absence underscores the difficulty F1 teams are facing in adapting to the sport’s sweeping rule changes.
Historically, the Grove-based outfit has faced similar pressures: back in 2019, Williams missed its own shakedown and the first two days of the collective Barcelona test during a period of acute financial strain.
While funding is no longer an issue under the ownership of Dorilton Capital, the scale of the technical challenge in 2026 presents a fresh hurdle.
A statement released by Williams on Friday was unequivocal:
“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.”
Rather than rushing incomplete testing, the team will focus on simulations and virtual preparation.
“The team will instead conduct a series of tests including a VTT [Virtual Test Track] programme next week with the 2026 car to prepare for the first official test in Bahrain and the first race of the season in Melbourne.”
Despite the setback, Williams is trying to frame the situation positively:
“We are looking forward to getting on track in the coming weeks and want to thank all our fans for your continued support – there is a lot to look forward to together in 2026,” it concluded.
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The second pre-season test in Bahrain, scheduled from 11–13 February, offers a critical opportunity for the team to get the FW48 on track and collect real-world data before the season opener in Melbourne.
For now, however, Williams’ absence from Barcelona serves as a sharp reminder of the challenge posed by F1’s radical technical overhaul – and the fine margins that teams must navigate in the sport’s new era.
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