Williams announces special F1 car and major plans for 2027

In 2027, Williams will become only the third team in Formula 1 history to celebrate its 50th anniversary, after Ferrari and McLaren. The team, founded by Frank Williams and Patrick Head, plans to honour its past achievements while also looking ahead to the future.

A key part of the celebrations is W50 Live, an exhibition taking place in London from 11 to 28 February 2027. Visitors will have the chance to experience five decades of Williams’ Formula 1 history.

Several historic cars will be on display at the exhibition. These include the FW06, the first car built by Williams Grand Prix Engineering, and the FW11B, in which Nelson Piquet won the world championship in 1987. The famous FW14B, with which Nigel Mansell claimed the world title in 1992, will also be there.

Other cars on show include Jacques Villeneuve’s FW19 from 1997, the FW25 from 2003 and the FW38. In the latter, Valtteri Bottas reached a speed of 378 kilometres per hour - still the highest speed ever recorded by a Formula 1 car, according to Williams.

Williams also has special plans for the Formula 1 season itself. The new car for Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will be called the FW50, in reference to the team’s 50th anniversary. This means the team is skipping the customary FW49, just as the FW38 was followed by the FW40 to mark its 40th anniversary.

A show car of the FW50 will be unveiled during W50 Live. This will take place in February, although the exact date is not yet known. Later in the season, fans will also have the chance to choose the car’s livery for the British Grand Prix.

The special design will be used exclusively at the home race at Silverstone. Williams is still working out how supporters will be able to cast their votes.

Silverstone holds an important place in the team’s history. In 1979, Clay Regazzoni scored Williams’ first Grand Prix victory there. Eighteen years later, Jacques Villeneuve secured the team’s 100th win at the same circuit. Williams has won at Silverstone eight times in total, three of them with Nigel Mansell.

Team principal James Vowles stresses that the anniversary is not just about looking back. The Briton says the past should serve as an inspiration for the future: “It is incredible to think that over 100 F1 teams have come and gone since Frank Williams built this team from next to nothing with a determination to race and win against motorsport’s powerhouses.

Carlos Sainz is also looking forward to the special season. The Spaniard stresses that Williams must draw on its rich history to rejoin the front-running teams: “Williams is an incredibly special team to be part of. There’s a real family feel and a set of values that you rarely find in any sport, and I’m very proud to be part of that. The 50th anniversary is a great moment to reflect on and celebrate everything this team has achieved, but it’s also about using that legacy as a reminder of where we want to be: at the front of this sport, both in terms of performance and innovation.

Teammate Alex Albon says it is an honour to represent Williams during its anniversary year: “Williams is a very special and historic team that has created incredible memories for millions of fans throughout half a century of racing. It will be an honour to represent the team in its 50th year, and to give the supporters that cheer us on around the world a chance to be part of the celebrations too. The spirit that Frank Williams started with still drives us as a team, and I can't wait to experience that throughout the year."

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has already paid tribute to the British team on its anniversary: “It is incredible to celebrate 50 years of Williams in Formula 1. Sir Frank Williams built one of the defining teams in our sport, founded on determination, resilience and an uncompromising desire to succeed.

Since its founding, Williams has won nine constructors’ world titles, seven drivers’ world titles and 114 Grands Prix.