Williams to Miss First 2026 F1 Barcelona Pre-Season Test

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Atlassian Williams F1 Team is set to miss the first Formula 1 pre-season test of the 2026 campaign in Barcelona next week, following technical issues that have delayed the readiness of its new FW48.

All 11 Formula 1 teams were scheduled to run at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya during a behind-closed-doors five-day test, with each team permitted a maximum of three days of running. Williams, however, has taken the decision not to participate after encountering difficulties completing the FIA’s mandatory crash tests.

Sources with knowledge of the situation indicate that the failure to achieve timely crash-test approval has been the decisive factor. Without homologation of the car’s safety structures, the FW48 is not eligible to run on track, prompting Williams to withdraw rather than risk compromising its broader 2026 development programme.

The impact on preparation is substantial. By missing the Barcelona test, Williams forfeits one-third of the total nine days of pre-season testing permitted before the season-opening race. As a consequence, drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will have, at best, three days each in the FW48 across the two remaining tests in Bahrain scheduled for February.

This places increased emphasis on the Bahrain running, which now represents Williams’ sole opportunity to establish a baseline understanding of the new car before competitive action begins. With limited mileage available, the efficiency of data collection and correlation between simulation and on-track performance will be critical.

The situation echoes a previous setback for Williams in 2019, when the team missed the opening two days of pre-season testing due to delays in the build and design of the FW42, only managing to run on the third day in Barcelona. While the regulatory context differs, the comparison underlines the risks associated with early-season disruptions.

Under the sweeping 2026 regulations, teams face heightened complexity in integrating safety structures, aerodynamics, and power unit systems. Any delay in validating these elements can have a disproportionate effect on early-season competitiveness, particularly for teams operating with reduced testing opportunities.

Williams’ absence from the first pre-season test therefore represents a significant early challenge, shifting the burden onto the Bahrain sessions to deliver clarity and reliability in a compressed timeframe. How effectively the team responds to this setback will play a key role in shaping its competitive position as the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches.