Williams to miss first test because of car delays

Due to delays in finishing their new car, Williams will miss the first pre-season test for the week following the first practice session.

The team, who has used 2026 as a chance to advance to the front of the field, claimed that work has been resisted because they “continue to push for maximum car performance.”

A spokesperson claimed a “better engineering outcome” would be to not take the Barcelona test as a result of the delays.

“We’re all pushing the limits of performance with the rules, and we’ve stretched the organization to the point where we can’t go to Barcelona.”

Williams has one more important impact test to pass, which is required of them, but that is not the reason they chose to avoid Barcelona.

In a statement, Williams stated that as they prepare for Bahrain’s second pre-season test, they will instead concentrate on running the vehicle and engine on a dynamic rig.

The other ten teams are scheduled to travel to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where they can run for as many as three of the test’s five days between January 26 and January.

McLaren, the reigning world champion, has already stated that they will not be ready to operate on the first day and possibly not the second because they gave themselves the most time to maximize the design of their new vehicle.

Ferrari will begin its first-ever race on Tuesday, and Aston Martin is also expected to miss the first-day of the Barcelona test.