Williams will roll into the upcoming F1 season with a brand-new — and bright-blue — livery. The design features a glossy paint finish and white accents intended to showcase the British outfit’s growing roster of sponsors. Williams staged an impressive recovery last year with drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon; after years of on-track decline the team finished fifth in the championship. This year team principal James Vowles hopes to keep that momentum going.
On Tuesday Williams pulled the cover off the brand-new FW48 on social media, the car for the 2026 F1 season. The team initially revealed the new livery via digital renders; what the actual car looks like remains secret for now. Williams were the only team not present at the first shakedown in Barcelona and will therefore only show the official FW48 to the public in Bahrain. The colour scheme uses several shades of blue, including the team’s distinctive red pinstriping from Grove. In addition a number of white panels have been applied, which Williams says creates an ‘energetic and dynamic’ overall look.
‘Next step towards the top’
“2026 is the next step on the road to the top for Williams, especially as we enter a new era for the sport,” team principal James Vowles said via official channels. “We’re excited about the coming season. We have a great line-up, some fantastic new partners and a growing base of fans. Of course we want to build on last year’s success, but we’re also realistic about the challenge ahead. No one knows exactly what will happen in the first race, but we’re looking forward to finding out. We hope our fans will give us even more support thanks to this great new livery.”
“It’s always special to see a new livery for the first time, and the FW48 looks fantastic,” added driver Alex Albon. “The design really stands out: it’s bold, modern and unmistakably Williams. I can’t wait for the fans to see the car on track and cheer us on.”
Teammate Carlos Sainz was equally enthusiastic: “The FW48’s livery is a clear reflection of our ambitions for 2026. The design pays tribute to Williams’ rich history while delivering a fresh, dynamic look for the new era. I’m looking forward to racing in this colour scheme and sharing the excitement with the fans; their support really makes the difference.”
