Williams Sets Date for 'Striking' 2026 FW48 Livery Reveal

Williams Racing has announced it will unveil the official livery for its 2026 car, the FW48, on February 3, giving fans the first look at the team's design for F1's new era. The reveal follows a special fan-designed livery that will run during pre-season testing, a result of a global vote with nearly 55,000 participants. This announcement comes as Williams builds on its strongest season in nine years, aiming to capitalize on new regulations and a powerful driver lineup to continue its ascent up the grid.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season represents a massive technical reset for Formula 1, and for a team like Williams that has fought its way back to respectability, it's a golden opportunity to leapfrog the competition. The livery reveal is more than just a new paint job; it's the first public statement of intent for a team that finished fifth in 2025 and now harbors ambitions of challenging the front-runners. A strong start to this new era could solidify Williams' resurgence and attract the necessary momentum and investment for a sustained title challenge.

The Details:

• The Reveal: Williams will showcase the "striking" official livery of the FW48 on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
• Fan-First Approach: Before the main reveal, the team will run a special, fan-designed livery during pre-season testing in Barcelona. This design was chosen by a global vote involving almost 55,000 fans from 162 countries.
• 2026 Regulations: The FW48 is the first Williams car built entirely around the sweeping new 2026 rules, which feature shorter, lighter cars designed to promote closer racing.
• Building Momentum: The team is entering the new season with significant confidence after its best campaign since 2016. In 2025, Williams achieved:
  • 5th place in the Constructors' Championship
  • 137 points scored
  • Two podium finishes (Baku and Qatar)
  • A maiden Sprint podium in Austin
• Driver Powerhouse: Williams will field one of the grid's most formidable driver lineups with Alex Albon and the newly acquired Carlos Sainz, pairing proven race-winning talent with consistent, high-level performance.

What's next:

The livery reveal is the first step in a critical 2026 campaign for Williams. The team's focus will now shift to the car's performance on track during pre-season testing, where the true potential of the FW48 will begin to emerge. With a strong driver pairing and the momentum from a successful 2025, all eyes will be on Williams to see if they can convert this positive trajectory into a genuine threat to the top teams under the new regulations.