Major setback for Williams as team set to miss first F1 event of new era
Williams will not take part in the upcoming shakedown at Barcelona as they pursue "maximum car performance" under new regulations
SYDNEY–Formula One teams running their new machinery as part of an official shakedown in Barcelona next week will not be joined by Williams, as the team withdrew due to an unspecified issue.
The shakedown offers teams more pre-season track time, with the ability to run a maximum of three out of five days to test the next generation of F1 cars after sweeping new regulations.
"Atlassian 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," read a statement from the team.
"The team will instead conduct a series of tests including a VTT 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."
The team will instead run a virtual track testing (VTT) program ahead of the first official test in Bahrain, which takes place February 11-13.
