Williams will debut a one‑off 1981‑inspired livery on its FW48 at Madrid’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Retro design meets modern ambition
The new paint job uses a stark combination of white, green and navy blue, echoing the colour scheme of the legendary FW07C that conquered the 1981 Constructors’ Championship.
James Vowles said the scheme reflects what the team has learned and aims to carry forward, tying the historic 1981 platform to the current outward push for a front‑row finish.
During a fan gathering at Madrid’s Plaza de Callao, Vowles added that the Atlassian‑backed special livery symbolises a link between the past drivers from Jarama and the future innovations the team is building.
Madrid ready for a new F1 era
F1 is returning to the Spanish capital for the 2026 season on the newly built Madring circuit, a 22‑turn layout that blends permanent track sections with public streets.
It will be the first race in Madrid since 1981, when Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann competed on the nearby Circuito de Jarama.
Carlos Sainz, the Spaniard’s home‑race hero and ambassador for the circuit, expressed that the Grand Prix feels special because it marks the first time he will race on the track where he first drove a kart.
Both Sainz and teammate Alex Albon will race in new suits that match the one‑off livery, reinforcing the visual theme for the weekend.
The race will take place on Sunday, 13 September, as the FW48’s historic paint splash confronts the demanding, newly conceived circuit.
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