Williams Grand Prix Engineering will designate its 2027 Formula 1 challenger as the FW50, marking a deviation from its sequential naming convention. This decision commemorates the 50th anniversary of the team’s debut in a Formula 1 World Championship race. The 2027 car would ordinarily be named the FW49, following the current FW48.
The team’s first participation in a Formula 1 event occurred at the 1977 Spanish Grand Prix, where it fielded a March chassis for driver Patrick Nève. The ‘FW’ prefix, honouring founder Frank Williams, has been a consistent element of the car nomenclature since the FW06, the first car designed by the team in 1978.
This is not the first instance of Williams adjusting its car numbering for an anniversary. In 2017, the team bypassed the FW39 designation, proceeding directly to the FW40 to celebrate its 40th year in the sport. The numbering sequence was subsequently affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the 2021 season, F1 regulations permitted teams to carry over their chassis as a cost-saving measure. Williams utilised an updated FW43B instead of introducing a new FW44, disrupting the intended progression.
Dorilton Capital acquired Williams in August 2020 for $179.5 million, pledging to uphold the team’s identity, including the Williams name and the FW car-naming tradition. The investment firm has provided substantial financial backing, with former CEO Jost Capito stating in March 2021 that support was ‘absolutely fantastic’.
Dorilton’s commitment included developing the Williams brand long-term, prioritising identity over short-term commercial gains. The team currently competes as the Atlassian Williams F1 Team for the 2026 season.
The 2026 season has presented significant challenges for Williams. The FW48 chassis arrived late, was overweight, and has demonstrated a lack of performance. The team missed its private shakedown in Barcelona due to these production delays.
Williams has accumulated 11 points in the current 2026 Constructors’ Championship, placing them ninth in the standings. This follows a strong 2025 season where the team finished fifth, with Carlos Sainz securing two podium finishes in Azerbaijan and Qatar.
Team Principal James Vowles has acknowledged the difficulties with the FW48, indicating that 2026 is effectively a ‘write-off’ for certain aspects. He confirmed that the team is already directing significant resources towards the 2027 car development.
Vowles stated that Williams is making ‘bold decisions’ and ‘tipping out some core systems’ to address underlying inefficiencies within the team’s operational structure. He believes these structural improvements will ultimately yield positive results.
The team is also undertaking the complex task of creating a new chassis mid-season. Carlos Sainz, currently driving for Williams, is reportedly evaluating his options for the 2027 season.
