| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Williams | ||||||||||
| Designers |
| ||||||||||
| Predecessor | Williams FW47 | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||||
| Chassis | Carbon-fibre monocoque, laminated from carbon epoxy and honeycomb | ||||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Double wishbone, pull-rod activated springs and anti-roll bar | ||||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Multi-link, push-rod activated springs and anti-roll bar | ||||||||||
| Engine | Mercedes-AMG M17 | ||||||||||
| Electric motor | Kinetic andthermal energy recovery systems | ||||||||||
| Transmission | Mercedes-AMG 8 forward + 1 reverse gear seamless sequential semi-automatic shift plus reverse gear, gear selection electro-hydraulically actuated | ||||||||||
| Battery | Lithium-ion battery | ||||||||||
| Weight | 772.4 kg (including driver, excluding fuel) | ||||||||||
| Fuel | Gulf | ||||||||||
| Lubricants | Gulf | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (dry) Pirelli Cinturato (wet) | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Williams F1 Team | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
TheWilliams FW48 is aFormula One racing car designed and constructed byWilliams to compete in the2026 Formula One World Championship. The car is to be driven byAlexander Albon andCarlos Sainz Jr., both in their fifth and second seasons with the team respectively.
Williams prioritised the development of the FW48 before any other team, with development of theFW47 cut early, allowing for full focus on the FW48 from 1 January 2025.[1] However, the FW48's development has been marked by production delays that saw the team miss the private shakedown test inBarcelona in late January 2026. However, the car was still through simulator prep, recording 500 laps with theMercedes power unit. Rumours circulated that this was because the car was overweight, however, this was not the case as Williams published the technical specifications showing the cars weight to be 772.4kg, just 0.4kg heavier than theW17.[2] The car made its track debut during a shakedown atSilverstone on 4 February 2026, using a special one-off livery voted by fans.[3] The car made its official on-track debut at the first public pre-season test inBahrain on 11 February 2026.[4]
The livery was unveiled on 3 February 2026, atGrove. The livery was similar to its predecessor,FW47. However it differes, featuring a gloss blue base. It incorporates a heritage-inspired red and white keyline, a tribute to the championship-winningFW14B andFW18, alongside prominent light blue and white sections on the sidepods and wings to accommodate new partners, includingBarclays.[5][6]
