Photo: Race Pictures

Williams to miss first week of F1 testing in Barcelona

14:02, 23 Jan

Updated: 14:10, 23 Jan

3 Comments

byOlly Darcy

Williams will miss the first round of testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

"The team will instead conduct a series of tests, including a VTT programme next week with the 2026 car."

- Williams team statement

The first rounds of testing will take place from January 26-30, with the entire test taking place behind closed doors.

Teams will be allowed to run on three of the five days in the event that will take place behind closed doors, giving teams some vital preparation before official testing takes place in Bahrain in February.

However, it has now been confirmed by the British team that they will not be taking to Barcelona next week.

Williams had an impressive 2025 season, finishing best-of-the-rest with a P5 finish and 137 points to their name - Photo: Race Pictures

"Atlassian Williams F1 Team has taken the decision not to participate in next week’s shakedown test in Barcelona following delays in the FW48 programme as we continue to push for maximum car performance," stated the British team.

"The team will instead conduct a series of tests, including a VTT programme next week with the 2026 car, to prepare for the first official test in Bahrain and the first race of the season in Melbourne.

"We are looking forward to getting on track in the coming weeks and want to thank all our fans for your continued support – there is a lot to look forward to together in 2026."

McLaren to skip Monday testing

With teams running on three of the five days of testing, Red Bull, Racing Bulls and Alpine will be out on track on Monday to start the week in Barcelona.

It was also revealed that McLaren would not be taking part in the first day of testing, with team principal Andrea Stella stating that the move has always been part of the plan for the papaya-coloured team.

Apart from those four teams, along with Williams, the rest of the grid has given little away as to what days they will take to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

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