Williams faces setbacks: delays and crash test issues ahead of 2026 season. Williams skips Barcelona F1 testing due to FW48 project delays.

Williams misses Barcelona testing due to project delays: the situation ahead of upcoming commitments and crash tests

The first 2026 pre-season tests are underway in Barcelona. Some teams have already taken to the track to gather early data, while others are yet to do so. Williams, however, will not be participating in the five-day testing session at the Catalan circuit. The Grove-based team had announced in a document released in recent days that it would skip the tests due to delays in the FW48 project. According to some reports, the reason was the failure to pass the mandatory crash test – a critical stage to ensure a car is deemed fit for competition.

The current situation

After skipping the Barcelona tests, Williams appears to have adjusted its plans for the coming days. The unveiling of the new car, initially scheduled for 3 February with a live event at the Grove headquarters, is now expected to be a virtual launch. The 2026 season has already started on a challenging note for the team.

Crash test results

According to Matteo Bobbi on Sky Sport, Williams has now successfully passed the crash test: “After days of rumours and doubts, we now know that Williams has passed its crash test,” he reported. Bobbi added: “This was achieved after several failed attempts (at least two).”

Looking ahead, the next appointments for F1 teams after Barcelona will be the two Bahrain testing sessions in February: from 11 to 13 February 2026 and from 18 to 20 February. Unlike the closed-door tests in Barcelona, the Bahrain sessions will be open to the public. Following these, teams will head to Australia for the season opener.

The road to the 2026 season opener in Australia has become significantly more difficult for Williams following their absence from the Barcelona shakedown and the revealed struggles with the FW48’s structural validation. While passing the FIA crash test on the third attempt provides a necessary breakthrough, the loss of valuable track time in Spain means the team must now rely on an flawless performance during the upcoming Bahrain tests to remain competitive. This challenging start underscores the immense pressure of the new regulatory era, where even the most experienced teams can find themselves on the back foot before a single competitive lap is turned.