Williams to miss Barcelona test after delay

Williams Racing have today announced they will not be taking part in the shakedown test in Barcelona after a delay in the progression of their new FW48.

The Grove team become the first team to miss a test since they themselves missed the opening days of the 2019 test calendar.

Since then, Williams have come on leaps and bounds and secured their first top five constructors table finish since 2017 in 2025 with Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon performing well for the team that has been transformed by Team Principal James Vowles.

📸 Two season podiums for Sainz helped Williams to fifth, and he was first to take multiple podiums in a season for the team since 2015.

In a statement released today, Williams said: "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.

"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.”

In a further statement, the team say they expect to be present at the later test in Bahrain.

📸 Image credits: Williams Racing.