Williams F1 Team 2026: Drivers, FW48 & Formula 1 Journey

Williams Racing, officially competing as Atlassian Williams F1 Team in 2026, is one of the most historic teams on the Formula 1 grid. Based in Grove, United Kingdom, Williams enters the new-generation 2026 regulations with the FW48, powered by Mercedes.

The team's 2026 driver line-up remains Alex Albon #23 and Carlos Sainz #55, continuing together after Williams finished fifth in the 2025 Constructors' Championship.

Williams F1 Team in 2026

The 2026 Formula 1 season represents a major technical reset, with all-new regulations bringing changes to chassis design, aerodynamics and power-unit technology.

Williams' 2026 challenger is the FW48, using a Mercedes power unit. The team is led by Team Principal James Vowles, with Pat Fry serving as Technical Chief.

Williams 2026 Team Details

 

Alex Albon: Williams Driver #23

Alex Albon joined Williams in 2022 after spending a season as a Red Bull reserve driver. Since then, he has become an important part of the team's rebuilding project.

Williams confirmed in August 2026 that Albon will remain with the team for the 2027 season, extending his time with the Grove-based outfit.

In 2025, Albon finished eighth in the Drivers' Championship with 73 points, while Williams achieved its best Constructors' Championship position since 2017 by finishing fifth.

His 2026 campaign has included several difficult weekends as Williams works through the challenges of the new regulations.

Carlos Sainz: Williams Driver #55

Carlos Sainz joined Williams for the 2025 season after leaving Ferrari.

The Spaniard immediately made an impact, scoring two podium finishes in 2025 and helping Williams secure fifth place in the Constructors' Championship.

In August 2026, Williams confirmed that Sainz had signed a new multi-year contract, completing the team's 2027 driver line-up alongside Albon.

Sainz brings experience from previous F1 teams including McLaren and Ferrari, as well as multiple Grand Prix victories.

The Williams FW48

The FW48 is Williams' entry for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

The car was designed for the sport's new technical regulations, which introduced a new generation of Formula 1 machinery. Williams revealed its 2026 livery at Grove in February, featuring a vibrant blue base combined with black, red and white details.

The 2026 Williams design includes several visual references to the team's historic racing identity while introducing a modern interpretation for the new regulations.

Williams and Mercedes Power

Williams continues to use Mercedes power units in 2026.

The Mercedes relationship has been an important part of Williams' modern Formula 1 operation, providing the team with its power-unit technology as it develops the FW48 around the latest regulations.

Williams' 2025 Season

Williams entered 2026 following a strong 2025 campaign.

The team scored 137 points during the 2025 season and finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship, its highest championship position since 2017.

Carlos Sainz scored podiums at Azerbaijan and Qatar, while Williams also achieved its first Sprint podium at the 2025 Austin event.

These results established an important foundation heading into the 2026 regulations reset.

Williams 2026 Season So Far

After 14 completed Grands Prix in the 2026 season, Williams is currently listed 9th in the Constructors' Championship with 11 points.

The team's official statistics list:

• 14 Grand Prix races completed
• 11 team points
• 5 Grand Prix top-10 finishes
• 6 DNFs
• 5 Sprint races
• 1 Sprint top-10
• 0 podiums
• 0 wins
• 0 pole positions

 

The 2026 season has been more challenging than Williams' 2025 campaign, with the team working through development and performance issues associated with the new regulations.

Williams Upgrades for 2026

Williams has been developing the FW48 throughout the season.

Team Principal James Vowles explained during the 2026 season that the team had been working on major upgrades, including changes aimed at improving the car's performance and addressing balance-related issues.

The team also planned further development around the second half of the season as it continued to refine the FW48.

Williams at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is taking place from September 24–26, 2026.

Williams' official schedule lists Alex Albon starting the Baku weekend with car #23 and Carlos Sainz with car #55. The race result was still pending when this article was prepared, so no final Azerbaijan result is included here.

Williams F1 Team History

Williams has one of the longest and most successful histories in Formula 1.

The team has won:

• 9 Constructors' World Championships
• 7 Drivers' World Championships
• More than 100 Grand Prix victories
• Numerous pole positions and podium finishes

Williams became a major force in Formula 1 during the 1980s and 1990s, competing with legendary drivers and producing some of the sport's most recognizable racing cars.

The team's historic championship-winning cars include the FW14B and FW18, with elements of those classic designs influencing the visual identity of the 2026 FW48 livery.

Williams F1 Drivers in 2026

The current Williams line-up combines experience from different stages of modern Formula 1.

Alex Albon #23

• Thai-British Formula 1 driver
• Joined Williams in 2022
• Continued with Williams into 2026
• Confirmed for 2027
• Experienced previous Red Bull Formula 1 driver

Carlos Sainz #55

• Spanish Formula 1 driver
• Joined Williams in 2025
• Four-time Grand Prix winner
• Two Williams podiums in 2025
• Multi-year Williams contract confirmed in 2026

 

Williams F1 and Motorsport Fans

Williams has a distinctive place in Formula 1 history, combining classic British motorsport heritage with its modern blue-and-black FW48 design.

For F1 fans, Williams-inspired racing suits, jackets, caps and motorsport apparel offer a way to bring the team's racing aesthetic into everyday fanwear.

At Apex Karting Gear, you can explore F1-inspired racing suits, motorsport jackets, karting suits, racing gloves and other motorsport apparel.