Williams began the 2026 Formula 1 season on a challenging note, as both Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon were absent from this week’s shakedown test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Scheduled as a private, five-day event for all 11 teams to test their new cars under the updated regulations, the Barcelona shakedown marked the first gathering of the F1 paddock in 2026. However, Williams confirmed before the test that they would not be attending because of delays in their FW48 car development.
Instead of traveling to the Spanish track, the Grove-based team conducted virtual simulations at their factory. Team principal James Vowles later explained that the decision to skip the test was strategic and aimed at preserving their parts supply, although he admitted the team could have made the trip if necessary.
Williams Invests Heavily to Accelerate FW48 Production Amid Schedule Slips
Faced with the risk of running out of critical spare components early in the season, Williams chose to prioritize stable production over track time. This approach followed their surprisingly strong performance in 2025, making the beginning of the 2026 regulations era a disappointing setback. Sources including GPBlog reported that the late realization of how far behind the schedule Williams was forced the team to rush parts manufacturing, which imposed additional financial strain.
Many newly produced components were rendered obsolete before they could be fitted on the FW48, signaling wasted resources. Albon and Sainz are now expected to complete their first 2026 on-track laps at the upcoming pre-season tests in Bahrain.
Mercedes Engine Shows Reliability Advantage During Barcelona Testing
As the teams prepare for two pre-season tests in Bahrain on February 11-13 and 18-20, Williams will finally get to run their FW48 with Sainz and Albon behind the wheel. However, the pair currently trail rival teams in adapting to the new Mercedes power unit which Williams uses.
The Barcelona shakedown highlighted the dependability of Mercedes’ 2026 engine, with the Silver Arrows completing an impressive 504 laps—the highest among all teams. Their customers, Alpine and McLaren, logged 343 and 285 laps respectively, underlining Mercedes’ early advantage in durability.
Vowles acknowledged Sainz’s frustration at missing out on valuable track time in Barcelona but praised the Spaniard’s dedication in contributing to the team’s preparations at their Grove facility.
Looking Ahead: Bahrain Tests Will Be a Crucial Benchmark for Williams
The delay in Williams’ testing schedule and the extra expenditure required to update the FW48 raise questions about how the season will unfold for the team. The Bahrain pre-season sessions offer the first real opportunity for Sainz and Albon to push the new car on track and close the gap with their rivals.
Williams’ situation illustrates the challenges teams face adapting to major regulation changes, and with Mercedes-powered competitors showing strong reliability, Williams must overcome current setbacks quickly to remain competitive as the 2026 season progresses.
