Williams will name its 2027 Formula 1 car the FW50, skipping a number in its traditional chassis sequence as the Grove team prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The symbolic change from the disappointing FW48 of 2026 to the FW50 will form part of a wider anniversary campaign that includes a major London event next February.
The team has revealed the new designation through an image published on its social media channels, confirming that the next Williams will carry the FW50 name as the organisation marks half a century since its official foundation in 1977.
Williams skips FW49 and confirms FW50 for 2027
The decision to move directly from FW48 to FW50 is intended to underline the importance of the 2027 season and Williams’ desire to make a clear break with its recent difficulties.
The photograph released by the team also revealed a sticker positioned on the left-hand side of the monocoque inside chassis 001. That detail suggests Pat Fry’s technical group has tried to get ahead with preparations after the problems that affected the current season.
Williams had been forced to miss the Barcelona shakedown at the end of January and three of the five scheduled test days at Montmeló because the FW48 had failed a series of crash tests required for FIA homologation after safety regulations were tightened.
In order to pass those checks, the car had to be reinforced and began the season around 30 kilograms overweight. Williams only managed to remove that excess weight during the later stages of the campaign.
James Vowles faces pressure after difficult Williams season
Team principal James Vowles now faces the task of turning around a structure that sits only eighth in the Constructors’ Championship. That represents a significant step backwards from 2025, when Williams finished fifth and established itself as the leading team behind Formula 1’s four front-running outfits.
The decline has been particularly disappointing given that Williams has continued to benefit from the Mercedes power unit, widely regarded as the most competitive engine package.
The jump in chassis numbering is therefore more than an anniversary detail. It is also intended as a visible sign that Williams wants to draw a line under its recent struggles and begin a new chapter.
W50 Live event will celebrate five decades of Williams history
Williams will also celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special event in London called “W50 Live: Williams, 50 Years of F1 Racing”. The immersive experience will run from 11 to 28 February 2027 and take visitors through five decades of the team’s Formula 1 history.
The event will feature championship-winning cars, historic memorabilia and the FW50 show car, giving fans an early look at the visual identity associated with Williams’ next Formula 1 project.
Williams officially began competing under its current identity in 1977 and has since won nine Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ titles. The London exhibition will use those achievements as the foundation for a retrospective of the team’s most important moments.
The team has confirmed that the event will take place at 26 Leake Street in Waterloo, London, with an immersive format covering different eras of Williams’ history.
Ticket sales begin in October
Pre-sale tickets for W Club members will become available on 26 October 2026, while general ticket sales will open on 29 October. Williams has also confirmed that the FW50 show car will be displayed during the event.
Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon will now be hoping that the anniversary season represents more than a symbolic reset. After a difficult 2026 campaign, Williams needs the FW50 to deliver a genuine competitive step forward and restore some of the momentum lost over the past year.
The 2027 campaign will therefore carry both sporting and historical significance for the Grove team, with the FW50 name linking Williams’ next Formula 1 car directly to its 50th anniversary and to a fresh attempt to rebuild towards the front of the grid.
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