Williams cut through speculated FW48 rumour with hard facts
Williams FW48 is already running very close to the 2026 minimum weight limit according to the technical data, contrary to earlier speculation.
“In terms of weight, until there are two race cars built to the correct specification going forward, it’s hard to comment on that”- James Vowles
The Grove-based team’s new 2026 car is set to hit the track at 772.4 kg — just four kilos above the minimum weight limit and only 0.4 kg heavier than the W17, widely regarded by many as the early title favourite.
That figure runs sharply against the narrative that emerged when Williams announced it would skip the Barcelona tests, at a time when the car was rumoured to be significantly overweight compared to its rivals.
“In terms of weight, until there are two race cars built to the correct specification going forward, it’s hard to comment on that,” Williams team principal James Vowles told GPblog among other media.
“But even so, in that regard, your question was: does that stop you being competitive right now? “No one knows – and I really do mean no one – what the pecking order is, especially ourselves as we haven’t been on track, so it’s hard for me to answer that question.”
Vowles stunned by three rivals beyond Mercedes in Barcelona testing
Vowles pointed to Red Bull and Ferrari as two of the teams that caught his attention for different reasons, while noting that Williams were the only squad absent from the shakedown week.
He also referenced Mercedes’ eye-catching test showing with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, before adding Aston Martin to the list of standouts, with Adrian Newey’s first design already sparking discussion thanks to a number of bold technical ideas.
Read also
Popular on GPBlog
F1 team boss left stunned by three rivals in Barcelona: 'They impressed me'
Honda flies quickest, new engine causes manufacturers major headache
Mercedes could break F1 record held by Ferrari in 2026
