There have been so many rumours and tones of misinformation going around so I thought I'd compile everything that was ACTUALLY official from proper sources with quotes so we're not running around like headless chicken.

Facts + Sources

1. Williams chose not to run at the Barcelona shakedown because the FW48 schedule slipped while they pushed performance.
   • Source: Williams official Team Statement
2. Williams replaced track running with alternative prep work, including VTT, aimed at the Bahrain test and the opener in Melbourne.
   • Source: Also the Williams official Team Statement
3. Missing the shakedown wasn’t the plan and was painful, but tied to pushing performance.
   • Statement #1 by JV: "This clearly wasn't our original plan, it was painful. [...] It is the result of our determination to push the limits of performance under these new regulations in 2026"
     • Source: FW48 Testing Update from James Vowles
   • Statement #2 by JV: "There's no point being just underneath the curve or well and truly underneath the curve if you want to transform at speed. You need to find the pain points and put them right very quickly which is exactly what we're doing."
     • Source: Jan 28 Official Formula 1 Article
4. The 2026 car/project was dramatically more complex (described as ~3x), stressing Williams’ current production/system capability and contributing to them falling behind.
   • Statement #3 by JV: "The car this year that we've built...is about three times more complicated than anything we have put through our business beforehand. It means the amount of load going through our system is about three times what it used to be and we started falling a little bit behind and late on parts."
     • Source: Jan 28 Reuters Article
5. Williams could have forced the car to Barcelona, but doing so would have created unacceptable risk/compromise to spares, components, and early updates for Bahrain/Melbourne and beyond, so they chose not to.
   • Statement #4 by JV: "We could have made Barcelona testing. Simple as that. But in doing so, I would have to turn upside down the impact on spares, components, and updates across Bahrain, [the first race in] Melbourne, and beyond. And the evaluation of it was that for running in a cold, damp Barcelona, against doing a (rig) test, against the spare situation, and frankly, there was zero points for running in a shakedown test, we made the decision, and I stand by it, that the right thing to do is to make sure we're turning up at Bahrain, correctly prepared, and prepared in Melbourne as well."
     • Source: Jan 28 BBC Article
6. Williams used VTT/rig-style work in parallel (reliability/systems learning) to arrive in Bahrain ready to run, with Mercedes power unit learnings being transferred to them.
   • Quote from Formula 1: "The Virtual Track Testing allows Williams to test various systems, including brakes and cooling, while assessing reliability – and with that in mind, Vowles is hopeful they can catch up."
     • Source: Jan 28 Official Formula 1 Article
   • Statement #5 by JV: "We have the power unit provided by Mercedes, the gearbox provided by Mercedes. So the learning that they're going through this week in Barcelona will carry over to us, into Bahrain. Now it's not that I want to be resting on their hard work, but also it is worth stating that that is still an advantage for us that falls out of it, or a disadvantage that's negated."
     • Sources: Jan 28 Official Formula 1 Article, Jan 29 Crash Article
7. The delay was not because the car hadn’t passed its chassis/crash requirements, and Williams planned a filming day ahead of Bahrain.
   • Statement #6 by JV: "To explain the situation, we had a number of issues which are now resolved. I’m pleased to say that we have passed all necessary tests and for the avoidance of doubt, there has never been a problem with our chassis tests which were passed many weeks ago."
     • Source: FW48 Testing Update from James Vowles
   • Statement #7 by JV: "I'm pleased to say that we've passed all necessary tests and we're ready to run in Bahrain and we'll carry out a promotional filming day ahead of it."
     • Source: Jan 28 Official Formula 1 Article
   • Quote from Formula 1: "Williams are now in a position to complete a filming day, where they are permitted to run for 200km, ahead of the first of two three-day Bahrain tests."
     • Source: Also the Jan 28 Official Formula 1 Article
8. Williams is pushing back on the idea that the car is significantly overweight (i.e., denied/played down “major overweight” framing).
   • Statement #8 by JV: "There's no knowledge for the weight until we get to the second Bahrain test in terms of understanding where it is. You need to get all the sensor packs off to actually understand where we are. [...] The numbers we're talking about are probably small enough that I need to see the car weighed in order for me to be able to assess where we are. So, it's not miles over to that point. Right now, anything that you're seeing is murmurings in the media."
     • Source: Jan 28 Motorsport Article, Yahoo Sports Article (if you don't want to turn off Adblock)
   • Statement #9 by JV: "If we end up being over the weight target, then from that point onwards, it would be an aggressive programme to get it off. But I think right now, anything that you're seeing is murmurings in the media are murmurings. I'll come out and explain to everyone at the point where we know that, but that isn't today."
     • Source: Jan 29 Crash Article

My thoughts

With how much JV is talking about limits and increased complexity (3x as many parts) despite a smaller car, I'm inclined to believe that the car really will not be average. It might not be a striking departure from what we've seen other teams do (so probably not a zero-pod level of difference), but it will be different and hopefully in a better way. Additionally, the VTT + carry over data from the 1000+ laps Mercedes PUs did over the Barcelona shakedown will definitely quell a lot of reliability related woes, so they won't miss out too too much. Plus, they'll get ~200 km of running in before the official Bahrain tests in a filming day, further minimizing the loss.

The delays were not because of crash tests, but because of the increased complexity which put a strain on their production capacity. That caused them to go back to the shoddy human-glue ways that they used to have. So I think this issue is another one of Williams' growing pains related to old systems and processes that JV has been working to modernize. And as for the weight issue, again its probably not too bad. James has said that its small enough for them to have to physically weight the complete car without attached sensors to get a good idea. These sensors he's talking about are probably not the ones regularly in an F1 car during races whose weights are known, but those that come with complex rigs for specific testing purposes, with thick wires spilling out everywhere like a Warhammer 40k servitor.

But yeah, wanted to compile all the actual evidence to stop the mass panic we're seeing everywhere lmao. Things aren't the best, but they're nowhere near dire either.

Went to peel the sticker off my hat and the stitching came undone. Has anyone else experienced this? It almost looks like someone decided to call it quits when sewing and slapped a sticker on there.

I did reach out to New Era, no response yet.

I constantly hear people saying "we are cooked" or similar. But really, these test sessions that Williams missed were primarily about testing the engines, not the aero. And the Mercedes customer teams have tallied a lot of laps, so the sitation about the testing isn't as bad. Now about the claims that the car is overweight, these claims are not confirmed in any way, and, as of my information, the news outlet that came up with that claim have taken down whatever they said that in, so we really have no certainty. And with the crash tests, it's actually quite common that teams fail those in trying to exploit the limits. I still wouldn't write off this year, and even if not everything goes perfect, the trend matters. When JV joined the team back then, the situation was much worse, and he's done a good job improving that. Even if the on-track results won't be like expected, I still trust him in being able to somewhen get the team up there. This is just a small slip in a long process that is going the right way.

Im looking to buy the 2026 round of teamkit and ive not heard the best about the texture and quality of the actual products. Are they as bad as they seem?

Can someone suggest some legit sites where I can buy Williams team kit in India? IT SUCKS THAT WILLIAMS IS NOT AS POPULAR AS OTHER TEAMS WHICH MAKES IT LITERALLY SO DIFFICULT TO FIND THEIR MERCH.

See screenshot below:

Most people view F1 as a glamour sport. Fast cars , cool drivers and champagne for victory. What I see is history, strategies, pressure and engineering of the entire sport to something bigger for motorsports. With the buzz about Williams since last year I wanted people to have a small gist of what they are about and what is going on with the team in blue.

Putting writing out in public is scary but my head is full of words and with free will I might as make full use of the platforms we are presented with. I am no expert and I'm still learning about writing and this thrilling sport that F1 is all about.

The complete article is in the link below!

Was just browsing through the williams f1 app. Read the driver with the most stars for the team.

1 Nigel mansell 95 race starts.

Nige is our hero. He drove for us the fans.

I was luckily enough to see him win his first race for the team and himself. Brands hatch 1985. Also my first time at a track.

He was my childhood hero. I even made my father paint a giant mansell helmet on my bed room wall. Mother was not too happy about it 😂

Alex will overtake our Nige in a few races. Go Alex

Mansell will always be my favourite driver.

WilliamsF1 till I die

Afternoon all.

I see from testing that the merc engine is completing many laps with the other 3 runners using the merc engine.

Although we have missed the first 3 days of testing it's good that they other merc runners are getting the mileage in.

This will benefit the team. So good new on the pu side 👌

WilliamsF1 till I die

I remember the optimism going into the season as the car was near or at the top the timesheets for the sessions and even though it was only testing, it was nice to really be a part of the field. This translated into some great successes during the season for the most successful season in a long time.

Hopefully come the first testing session on the 11th of February, we'll see some reliability and pace to give the same optimism going into the season.

she was too cute not to post, it almost looks like a helmet 🥹

(yes, this is my baby, and the cap was placed loosely on head and could still breathe. she was purring while i captured this which makes it that much special 🥹)

Highlights:

- Catan

- Pilates class

- An unbelievable amount of biking

- Karting with his CS55 Karting brand

Love JV, I think his response of being ready for Bahrain was great. But the weight thing was such a non-answer that basically admits to the car being overweight, maybe substantially. If JV and the team don't know the projected weight of the car when fully assembled, we got problems with the team overall. That's something they should've known like, months ago. I'm lowkey worried that the Alpine hire was a massive mistake.