The Atlassian Williams F1 Team has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Barcelona shakedown test, scheduled for January 26-30 at the Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya. The team cited delays in the FW48 program as the reason, emphasizing their commitment to "maximum car performance" for the 2026 season.
The Barcelona shakedown offers teams valuable track time to run their new challengers and adjust to the modified regulations before the official pre-season testing in Bahrain. The test is held behind closed doors and allows teams to check systems, work on reliability, and validate their new cars. Each team can select up to three days of running within the five-day window.
Instead of participating in the Barcelona shakedown, Williams will conduct a series of tests, including a Virtual Track Testing (VTT) program with the 2026 car. The team aims to be fully prepared for the first official test in Bahrain, taking place from February 11-13, and the season-opening race in Melbourne.
Sources indicate that Williams has been struggling to pass the FIA's mandatory crash tests. This may have contributed to the decision to skip the Barcelona test, as the team prioritizes addressing these issues. With Williams missing the Barcelona test, drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will have a maximum of three days each in the FW48 during the two Bahrain tests.
Williams' decision to miss the Barcelona shakedown is reminiscent of 2019 when the team was late to pre-season testing due to car build and design problems. While the team's financial situation has improved under Dorilton Capital's ownership, the scale of the technical challenge presented by the 2026 regulations remains a hurdle.
The 2026 Formula 1 season introduces significant regulation changes, including active aerodynamics and a near-50:50 split between combustion and electric power. These changes present a considerable challenge for all teams as they develop their new cars. Williams is determined to overcome these challenges and maximize the performance of the FW48.
