The Williams Formula One team has confirmed that it has decided to skip the private testing next week ahead of the 2026 season.
The Grove outfit shared the news in a statement on social media, confirming that it will instead conduct a series of testing including a VTT program next week.
“Atlassian Williams F1 Team has taken the decision not to participate in next week’s shakedown test in Barcelona following delays in the FW48 programme as we continue to push for maximum car performance,” the statement read.
“The team will instead conduct a series of tests including a VTT programme next week with the 2026 car to prepare for the first official test in Bahrain and the first race of the season in Melbourne.
“We are looking forward to getting on track in the coming weeks and want to thank all our fans for your continued support – there is a lot to look forward to together in 2026.”
2026 marks a change in regulations in the championship, including a 50:50 split between internal combustion engine and electric power and active aerodynamics, among other changes. With the new regulation set, every testing opportunity is crucial.
Williams, led by team principal James Vowles, is scheduled to unveil its 2026 livery on Tuesday, 3 February, ahead of the Bahrain pre-season testing on 11-13 and 18-20 February.
The season will then kick off with the Australian Grand Prix on 6-8 March.
2026 Formula One Season: Full Calendar
11–13 Feb – Pre-season Test 1 – Bahrain International Circuit
18–20 Feb – Pre-season Test 2 – Bahrain International Circuit
06–08 Mar – Australian Grand Prix – Albert Park Circuit
13–15 Mar – Chinese Grand Prix – Shanghai International Circuit
27–29 Mar – Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka Circuit
10–12 Apr – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit
17–19 Apr – Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit
01–03 May – Miami Grand Prix – Miami International Autodrome
22–24 May – Canadian Grand Prix – Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
05–07 Jun – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco
12–14 Jun – Barcelona Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
26–28 Jun – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring
03–05 Jul – British Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit
17–19 Jul – Belgian Grand Prix – Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
24–26 Jul – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring
21–23 Aug – Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Zandvoort
04–06 Sep – Italian Grand Prix – Autodromo Nazionale Monza
11–13 Sep – Spanish Grand Prix – Madrid Street Circuit
24–26 Sep – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit
09–11 Oct – Singapore Grand Prix – Marina Bay Street Circuit
23–25 Oct – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of The Americas
30 Oct–01 Nov – Mexico City Grand Prix – Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
06–08 Nov – São Paulo Grand Prix – Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos)
19–21 Nov – Las Vegas Grand Prix – Las Vegas Strip Circuit
27–29 Nov – Qatar Grand Prix – Lusail International Circuit
04–06 Dec – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit