Why missing the first F1 test has major consequences for Williams

21:05, 23 Jan

byLudo van Denderen

For Williams, being unable to take part in the first test days likely has major consequences that will be felt throughout the rest of the season.

It’s a paradox. The very team that was first to halt development of the 2025 car to focus early on this year’s machine wasn’t ready with its F1 car in time for the first test in Barcelona.

GPblog understands that there is significant dismay within Williams, as 2026 was supposed to be the year the team would consistently fight for podiums — and perhaps more? Yet before a single meter has been driven, Williams is already on the back foot.

Alex Albon driving the 2025 Williams F1 team car - Photo: Race Pictures

Catching up will be a tough task

Can they make up the deficit over the course of the year? That will simply be difficult. As is well known, there are entirely new technical regulations starting this season, which will drive constant development throughout the long campaign.

The cars teams send out on track in Barcelona will likely be very different from the machines that line up in Melbourne in March — and at every race thereafter. In fact, the cars will already be significantly evolved between the first test in Spain and the two test weeks in Bahrain.

For all teams, the test in Spain is mainly a chance to see whether the base of the car works, after which more and more performance is added in the Middle East.

Williams in action during an earlier test - Photo: RacePictures

Williams starts discovering late

For Williams, the discovery phase won’t begin until Bahrain, much later than the rest of the field. An added drawback is that if something in the car isn’t right — such as having questionable reliability — there’s hardly any time left to address it. In a sense, the Australian Grand Prix then becomes a test session rather than the first opportunity to perform.

It should also be noted: if the Williams is even ready to race in Bahrain and then Australia. Reportedly — though not confirmed — the car has not passed the mandatory crash test. Solving that issue may require drastic design changes.

Williams can only hope that won’t be necessary. The damage is already big enough for the ambitious team, which is already having a rotten season.

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