Williams to let fans vote on 2026 pre-season testing car livery

Williams Racing will debut its 2026 Formula 1 car in a livery chosen entirely by its fans. The team announced a public vote to decide the design that will adorn the FW48 during its first laps at pre-season testing in Barcelona, offering supporters a direct role in launching the new technical era.

Why it matters:

This move transforms the car's reveal from a standard corporate announcement into a major fan engagement event. By handing over a key visual decision to its supporters, Williams is strengthening its community ties and acknowledging the crucial role of fan passion in the team's ongoing rebuild. It sets a collaborative tone for the significant 2026 regulation changes.

The details:

• The fan vote is open on the Williams website from December 9th to December 16th.
• Supporters can choose from six distinct livery concepts, each with its own theme: 'Blue Horizon', 'Future Force', 'Generation Next', 'Midnight Velocity', 'Flow State', and 'Apex Predator'.
• Team Principal James Vowles highlighted the growing visibility of fan support, stating, "One of our joys this year has been seeing the growing number of fans proudly wearing blue... There is no better way to start 2026 than by giving our millions of fans around the world the chance to choose what the FW48 looks like on its very first laps."
• Driver Alexander Albon echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the team's drive from fan messages and urging supporters to "Choose your favourite version of Williams blue."

What's next:

The winning livery will be revealed and applied to the car ahead of the 2026 pre-season test in Barcelona. This initiative marks a symbolic start to a pivotal season for Williams, which is building momentum after a 2025 campaign that featured two Grand Prix podiums. The chosen design will carry the team's colors into the sport's next chapter, backed directly by its global fanbase.