Williams to let fans decide F1 livery for 2026 car's debut

Williams Racing is putting the look of its 2026 Formula 1 car's first public appearance directly into the hands of its fans. The historic team will allow its global fanbase to vote on which of six proposed liveries will adorn the new FW48 chassis during its debut at the official pre-season test in January, driven by Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.

Why it matters:

This move represents a significant shift in fan engagement for a top-tier F1 team, directly involving its audience in a key aesthetic and brand decision. It builds excitement for the new technical regulations era starting in 2026 and leverages the passionate Williams fan community to create a unique, collaborative launch moment for a critical new car.

The details:

• Fans will have six distinct livery designs to choose from, all anchored in Williams's traditional and signature blue color scheme.
• The options include "dazzle pattern" designs, which are complex, disruptive camouflage-style graphics often used by teams for one-off test liveries to hide aerodynamic details.
• The voting window is set for one week, from December 9th to December 16th, via the team's official website.
• The winning livery will be used exclusively for the car's first official running during pre-season testing in January, marking the debut of the FW48 and its new driver lineup.

What's next:

The fan-voted livery will be revealed ahead of the January test, creating a unique, community-driven reveal for the 2026 contender. While this specific design is for testing only, the initiative and its reception could influence the team's approach to its official race livery reveal later in the year, setting a precedent for greater fan interaction in F1's new era.