Williams :Everything you want to know about ADV News, Photos & Exclusive stories.

Williams has decided to replace Logan Sargeant with Franco Colapinto for the rest of the <a href="https://www.autox.com/formula-one-sports/">Formula 1</a> season. Sargeant, who joined in 2023, will leave after scoring just one point in 36 races. His departure follows a crash at the Dutch Grand Prix and a 16th-place finish. Williams' decision to promote Colapinto from their junior program exhibits their commitment to developing young talent. Currently sixth in the Formula 2 standings, Colapinto will be the first Argentine driver in Formula 1 since Gaston Mazzacane in 2001. This move also comes ahead of a planned driver change for next season, with Carlos Sainz Jr. joining from Ferrari to partner Alex Albon. Williams is keen to assess Colapinto's potential in a Formula 1 car, possibly considering him for a longer-term role with the team.

Commenting on the development, Franco Colapinto said, 'It is an honour to be making my Formula 1 debut with Williams – this is what dreams are made of. The team has such an amazing history and a mission to get back to the front, which I can’t wait to be part of. Coming into F1 mid-season will be an enormous learning curve, but I am up for the challenge, and I’m fully focused on working as hard as I can with Alex and the team to make it a success.'

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James Vowles, Team Principal, said, 'To replace a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season. We have just brought a large upgrade to the car and need to maximise every points-scoring opportunity in a remarkably tight midfield battle. We also believe in investing in our young drivers in the Williams Racing Driver Academy, and Franco is getting a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what he is capable of across the final nine rounds of the season.&nbsp;

‘This is undoubtedly incredibly tough on Logan, who has given his all throughout his time with Williams, and we want to thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude. Logan remains a talented driver and we will support him to continue his racing career for the future. I know that Franco has great speed and huge potential, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in Formula 1.'

<h2>F1: Logan Sargeant's 2023 Season</h2>

<img alt="F1 Logan Sargeant " src="/uploads/2024/04/F1-logan-Sargeant-1-.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

Logan Sargeant has struggled in the current season of Formula 1, failing to earn a single point. He remains one of only three drivers without a championship point, along with Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas of Kick Sauber.

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Sargeant's troubles were evident at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he crashed heavily during the third practice session in Zandvoort. The crash severely damaged his upgraded car and caused a fire.

Despite his contract ending this season, rumours have been rife about his mid-season replacement for months. Carlos Sainz will join&nbsp;Alex Albon on the team next season.

F1: Franco Colapinto Replaces Logan Sargeant at Williams for the Rest of 2024 Season

Logan Sargeant made his official debut with Williams in 2023, but after last weekend's Dutch Grand Prix, he's no longer part of the Formula 1 lineup.

Williams is reportedly thinking about replacing Logan Sargeant after his crash at the Dutch Grand Prix caused significant damage and disrupted qualifying. This incident has put Sargeant's position as the second driver under scrutiny, with former F1 drivers like Mick Schumacher,&nbsp;son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, emerging as potential replacements. Since leaving Haas at the end of 2022, Schumacher has served as a reserve driver for Mercedes and competed in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine.

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff supports the idea of Schumacher joining Williams this season, believing it would benefit both the driver and the team. As speculation around Sargeant's future continues, fans are eager to see if Williams will make a decisive change to its driver lineup.

<img alt="F1 2024 Williams" height="720" src="/uploads/2024/08/F1-2024-Williams.jpg" width="1280" />

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Wolff said, 'I would very much hope that Mick gets the chance because we haven’t seen the real Mick. You’re not winning F4, F3 and F2 and then you’re not performing in F1… I think he deserves a chance. 'If the opportunity would be at Williams, it’s something that we would be cheering for. But it’s [Team Principal] James Vowles’s decision.'

<h2>F1: Liam Lawson to Williams?</h2>

<img alt="F1 Liam Lawson AlphaTauri" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/10/F1-Liam-Lawson-AlphaTauri.jpg" width="1280" />

Liam Lawson, Red Bull's reserve driver, is also being considered for a full-time return to Formula 1 in 2025. The New Zealander could potentially join either the main Red Bull Racing team or its sister team, AlphaTauri.

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According to Auto Motor Und Sport, Red Bull is considering having Lawson finish the current season with Williams to evaluate Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo before finalising their 2025 driver lineup. This would also give Lawson valuable racing experience after his 2023 stint with AlphaTauri.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is open to partnering with Williams, hinting that a deal could happen if the terms suit both teams. As the season progresses, we'll see if Lawson secures a full-time F1 seat in 2025.

F1: Sargeant's Seat in Jeopardy at Williams—Schumacher or Lawson as Potential Replacements for Monza?

Williams is reportedly considering whether to replace Logan Sargeant after his latest accident during the Dutch GP weekend at Zandvoort.

Carlos Sainz has signed a two-year deal with Williams Racing, securing his seat for the 2025 and 2026 Formula 1 season. This move follows a turbulent driver market where Sainz was unexpectedly replaced at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton. Despite interest from Alpine and Sauber/Audi, it was the ambitious project led by Williams team principal James Vowles that convinced Sainz to join. He will race alongside Alex Albon as Williams enters a new era with major regulatory changes, including new aerodynamic concepts and sustainable fuel. Sainz's signing is a significant win for Williams, who faced strong competition for the highly regarded driver.&nbsp;

Carlos Sainz said: 'I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards. It is no secret that this year’s driver market has been exceptionally complex for various reasons and that it has taken me some time to announce my decision. However, I am fully confident that Williams is the right place for me to continue my F1 journey and I am extremely proud of joining such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes drove in the past and made their mark on our sport. The ultimate goal of bringing Williams back to where it belongs, at the front of the grid, is a challenge that I embrace with excitement and positivity. I am convinced that this team has all the right ingredients to make history again and starting on January 1 I will give my absolute best to drive Williams forward alongside every single member of the team.'

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Williams' Team Principal James Vowles: "Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties. Carlos has demonstrated time and again that he is one of the most talented drivers on the grid, with race-winning pedigree, and this underlines the upwards trajectory we are on. Carlos brings not just experience and performance, but also a fierce drive to extract every millisecond out of the team and car; the fit is perfect.

<h2>F1: Remaining Seats&nbsp;for&nbsp;2025</h2>

<img alt="F1 Austrian Grand Prix" height="720" src="/uploads/2024/06/F1-4-.jpg" width="1280" />

Carlos Sainz's decision to join Williams has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 driver market. Alpine remains in search of a second driver to partner Pierre Gasly for the 2025 season, while Mercedes seeks a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull, meanwhile, must navigate its complex driver lineup. These are the remaining major pieces of the 2025 driver puzzle.

The Spaniard reportedly turned down a lucrative offer from the ambitious Sauber/Audi project, significantly boosting Valtteri Bottas' chances of retaining his seat, assuming the new team principal, Mattia Binotto, wants to keep him.

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Audi's entry into Formula 1 with Sauber has proven to be a challenging endeavour. The team's struggles this season, culminating in a points-less campaign, have been well-documented. Internal issues at Audi, coupled with a confirmed organizational overhaul, have only added to the uncertainty surrounding the project. The contrast between the tumultuous situation at Sauber/Audi and the stability and ambition showcased by Williams was a significant factor in Carlos Sainz's decision.

F1: Carlos Sainz to Williams Confirmed, Signs Multi-Year Deal

Carlos Sainz has secured his F1 future with Williams by agreeing to a multi-year deal, where he will race alongside Alex Albon.

Alexander Albon has secured his future in Formula 1 by committing to a multi-year contract extension with Williams. Taking over from George Russell as Williams' driver in 2022, the Thai-born 28-year-old got a lot of attention. With Lewis Hamilton set to leave for Ferrari in 2025, rumours started circulating that he could be joining Mercedes. Albon, though, has decided to remain faithful to the Brackley-based team.&nbsp;

Alex Albon said: 'I am incredibly happy to be remaining with Williams Racing and to continue working with such a talented and dedicated team of people. It has been a difficult start to the year but since joining Williams we have made significant progress together and I have seen the huge changes happening behind the scenes to take us back to the front of the grid. This is a long-term project that I really believe in and want to play a key role in which is why I have signed a multi-year contract. The journey will take time but I am confident we are building the right team to move forward and achieve great things in the years to come.'

After losing his drive with Red Bull at the end of the 2020 season, Albon spent a year as their test and reserve driver before starting his trip to Williams. In 2022, he made an impressive return to racing with Williams, showcasing his talent and perseverance with a series of outstanding results. He made the most of the upgraded Williams FW45 throughout the 2023 season, raising the team's point total to 28 and helping them earn seventh place in the constructors' standings. &nbsp;

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Williams has had a rough start to the 2024 season, as they are one of only two teams that have failed to score any points. However, Albon is still quite confident in the team's potential. By signing a multi-year deal with Williams, he has chosen to continue his path with the support of Dorilton Capital. Albon is confident in the team's abilities to succeed under the upcoming 2026 regulations, which is why he made this decision.

<h2>F1: Who Will Partner Alex Albon in 2025</h2>

<img alt="F1 Alex Albon" height="720" src="/uploads/2024/04/F1-Alex-Albon.jpg" width="1280" />

Now that Williams has Alexander Albon's contract extension in the bag, everyone is wondering who will be racing alongside him in 2025. Reports have surfaced from within the organisation that they are now in talks with "four or five drivers" as they consider extending Logan Sargeant's contract for another year. Williams is allegedly looking at Kimi Antonelli, a Formula 2 racer and Mercedes youngster, as one of the contenders.&nbsp;

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Not only is Williams being considered for the driver lineup, but Adrian Newey, who is leaving Red Bull as Chief Technical Officer, is also being mentioned as a possible addition in the team. If Williams were to recruit Newey, they would be getting someone with extensive experience in motorsports who was instrumental in Williams' mid-1990s dominance and could lead the team to victory.

F1: Alex Albon Signs Multi-year Contract with Williams, Commits to Long-term Future

Williams F1 team has confirmed that Alex Albon has agreed to a multi-year contract extension, ensuring their partnership continues until the 2026 regulations period.

Several upgrades to Williams cars were destroyed in recent crashes, according to James Vowles. Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant had substantial collisions throughout the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, escalating the team's problems. Previously, Albon crashed his Williams FW46 in Australia and damaged the chassis. Following contact with Daniel Ricciardo's RB, Albon collided with the tyre wall, damaging the chassis on the right. Because of this, the team doesn't have a backup until Miami. Nonetheless, they're optimistic about the restoration of the chassis and its timely preparation for the Chinese Grand Prix.&nbsp;

Ricciardo and Williams driver Alex Albon were involved in a parallel contest at Suzuka's initial chicane, resulting in a collision that propelled both cars into the barriers at the third bend. Ricciardo's subtle shift towards the front of Albon's car certainly worsened the impact, even though Albon was mostly hidden from Ricciardo's view on the right-rear side. After the incident, the race was momentarily halted under a red flag as authorities evaluated the extent of the damage to the tyre barrier.&nbsp;

<h2>F1: Toll on Williams</h2>

<img alt="F1 Alex Albon" height="720" src="/uploads/2024/04/F1-Alex-Albon.jpg" width="1280" />

The recent string of collisions over two race weekends greatly reduced the Williams car's stock of parts following the installation of upgraded components.&nbsp;

Due to Albon's car needing to be repaired after <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/f1-japanese-grand-prix-verstappen-beats-perez-at-suzuka-red-bull-extends-lead-in-constructors-fight-116719/">the Japanese Grand Prix</a> incident, getting a replacement chassis may experience setbacks. Vowles stated on F1TV that the series of recent collisions has presented significant <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/f1-japanese-grand-prix-logan-sargeant-crashes-his-williams-fw46-in-suzuka-fp1-116706/">difficulties for Williams</a>, particularly given their limited availability of only two chassis. The production of a third chassis has been postponed due to the crash in Australia.&nbsp;

Williams might not be the only team having these problems, since other Formula 1 teams have said they haven't taken extra chassis. When asked about a spare tyre for the Japanese Grand Prix, Alpine team principal Bruno Famin revealed that they did not bring one, but claimed that they will have one available for the next race.&nbsp;

The upcoming Chinese Grand Prix is set to happen in just two weeks, from April 19th to April 21st.

<a href="https://speedcafe.com/williams-sends-albon-chassis-back-to-factory/">Source</a>

F1: Williams Chassis Woes Continue After Albon's Crash, Sent Back to UK for Repairs Ahead of Chinese GP

Williams had their third major accident during the Japanese Grand Prix. After making contact with Daniel Ricciardo's RB, Albon speared beneath the tyre wall, damaging the front-right side of the chassis.

Max Verstappen, piloting the upgraded Red Bull RB20, set the fastest time during the first free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. This practice was the second in a row to be disrupted by a red flag, which was caused by a crash involving a driver from the Williams team. During the first practice session (FP1), Logan Sargeant, while using soft tyres, lost control of his car at Turn 7. He veered off the track and grazed the grass on the outside of the left turn before colliding with the barriers.

This tragedy worsens Williams' difficulties, as they are already confronting shortages of components as a result of a rough winter and prior damage sustained in Australia. Sargeant was driving a rebuilt monocoque that had been damaged in Albon's accident in Melbourne, which highlighted the team's limits in terms of resources.

As soon as the American's FW46 was returned to the pits, the mechanics noticed the front suspension and gearbox were severely damaged. Both components must be changed for the rest of the weekend. Logan's car is being fixed quickly so he can take part in Free Practice 2. Still, there's doubt about whether they'll be able to finish in time.

Despite the disappointment, Albon demonstrated potential by placing 12th in the session. The apologetic tone of Sergeant over the radio highlights his acute awareness of the potential repercussions of the incident, particularly given the team's constrained resources. The squad faces a tough road ahead since Williams is not likely to have a backup chassis until the May Miami GP.

<h2>F1 Japanese Grand Prix: The Close Battle Behind Red Bull</h2>

<img alt="F1 Ferrari Carlos " height="720" src="/uploads/2024/04/F1-Ferrari-Carlos-.jpg" width="1280" />

There's no doubt that there will, be a fears battle between McLaren and Ferrari at Suzuka. The <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/f1-japanese-grand-prix-heres-when-where-and-how-to-watch-2024-suzuka-race-in-india-116692/">McLaren&nbsp;MCL38</a> will be incredible in high-speed bends, where Ferrari took the lead when Carlos Sainz, who won the Australian GP, recorded the third-best time, just 0.213 seconds behind Red Bull's fastest time. Meanwhile, McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris finished the session in eighth and 10th places, respectively. Their runs on soft tyres were disrupted by a red flag.&nbsp;

As the cooling requirements at Suzuka for the <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/f1-japanese-grand-prix-heres-when-where-and-how-to-watch-2024-suzuka-race-in-india-116692/">Japanese Grand Prix</a>&nbsp;have&nbsp;decreased, McLaren has made slight changes to its brake ducts, while Ferrari has implemented a new rear wing with increased downforce.

Contrary to expectations, Mercedes demonstrated remarkable speed, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton achieving the fourth and fifth best times. Hamilton's lap, which was completed immediately before the red flag incident, was only 0.487 seconds behind the fastest lap, with Russell slightly ahead. A heated struggle is about to take place at Suzuka, as McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes are ready to challenge Red Bull's dominance.

F1 Japanese Grand Prix: Logan Sargeant Crashes His Williams FW46 in Suzuka FP1

In the First free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix, Williams driver Logan Sargeant veered off the track, resulting in significant damage to his FW46. This incident occurred with 25 minutes remaining in the session.

Logan Sargeant will pilot the chassis involved in Alex Albon's accident at the Australian Grand Prix during the upcoming race in Japan. Williams found themselves in a bind as they hadn't constructed an extra chassis following Albon's incident at Melbourne's Albert Park track during practice. Consequently, the team was constrained to operate with just a single vehicle from Saturday onwards, while the damaged FW46 was dispatched back to the UK for initial assessment and repairs.

Albon replaced Sargeant in the race after Williams strategically withdrew Sargeant to bolster their competitiveness in the fiercely contested midfield. Although the team managed to repair the damaged monocoque in time for the upcoming Suzuka race, Williams doesn't anticipate having an additional chassis available until the Miami Grand Prix in early May. The decision to switch drivers at the Australian Grand Prix was justified by Williams, who asserted that Albon had a higher probability of scoring points compared to Sargeant. This assertion is supported by statistical evidence, which reveals Albon's 27-1 superiority over his American counterpart since they became teammates last year.&nbsp;

<img alt="F1 Williams Racing " src="/uploads/2024/04/F1-Williams.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

Sargeant personally confirmed the news to the source, stating that he will utilize the repaired chassis formerly <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/f1-williams-livery-for-2024-revealed-alex-albon-and-logan-sargeant-set-to-compete-with-fw46-race-car-116053/">driven by Albon</a>, while Albon will enjoy the advantage of piloting an undamaged chassis in Japan. According to the latest update, the chassis repair surpassed expectations, and Williams foresees no further issues.&nbsp;

<h2>Fans Demand Fair Treatment for Logan Sargeant</h2>

Initially, fans saw the events of the <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/f1-australian-grand-prix-ferraris-carlos-sainz-wins-in-melbourne-verstappen-hamilton-retires-116588/">Australian Grand Prix</a> as unfair for Sargeant. However, further revelations have further exacerbated their opinion, now seeing it as a clear and deliberate disregard for the driver. A multitude of individuals used various social media platforms to articulate their discontentment with the decision, categorising it as a 'disgrace' on the part of the team.

&nbsp;Given that there are no more chassis available until Miami, it is probable that the unfair of Sargeant will continue. Furthermore, the continuous lack of respect for the 23-year-old has the potential to create tension with the team's American sponsors, which might result in extra financial difficulties for <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/f1-williams-extends-mercedes-formula-1-engine-deal-until-2030-115811/">Williams</a>, who is currently in urgent need of more cash.&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/wbuxtonofficial/status/1775714071633129844?">Source</a>

F1 Japanese Grand Prix: Williams' Sargeant to Race with Albon's Rebuilt Chassis, No Spare Until Miami

Logan Sargeant is set to compete in the Japanese Grand Prix using the rebuilt chassis that was damaged by his Williams teammate, Alex Albon, just two weeks ago.

As the 2024 Formula 1 season comes closer, Williams unveiled their newest challenger, the FW46, with a sleek black and blue livery. In the wake of McLaren and Haas's liveries debuts, Williams stole the show with an updated deep blue design that celebrates the team's legendary championship run. Reflecting the winning mentality that has always characterised Williams, the livery highlights the team's history.

Along with the new livery, Williams also revealed a major multi-year agreement with Komatsu, a leading manufacturer of heavy equipment for construction, mining, forestry, and other industrial applications. These two organisations had worked together before. Williams won multiple titles and races during this time, with 1996 and 1997 winning cars using gearbox components supplied by Komatsu.

The 2024 colour scheme was unveiled at a spectacular launch event in New York City, held at the Fifth Avenue flagship shop of Puma, Williams' strategic partner in this endeavour.

<h2>F1: Williams' 2024 Livery</h2>

Williams has decided to stick with the tried-and-true colour scheme of the previous FW45 for the 2024 season. Alex Albon and <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/f1-williams-retains-logan-sargeant-for-2024-season-115428/">Logan Sargeant will be behind the wheel of this navy blue hybrid</a>. The addition of a red and white pinstripe on the nose and side pods is noteworthy because it pays tribute to the team's British roots and its famous history of classic cars, such as the FW10 driven by Nigel Mansell and the 1997 FW19 driven by Jacques Villeneuve, which won the championship.

A major feature for the 2024 season is the relationship between Williams and Japanese manufacturing behemoth Komatsu. Komatsu has secured a prominent spot on the side pods of the revised livery through a multi-year arrangement.

Team Principal James Vowles said: It is a significant milestone to unveil the 2024 livery at an iconic location in New York City. Since joining Williams Racing a year ago, I’ve seen this team pull together to overcome a number of challenges and claim seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, which meant a great deal for everyone involved. We’ve also shown the world that we’re building the foundations for moving forward."

<img alt="F1 2024 Williams Livery Rear" height="720" src="/uploads/2024/02/F1-2024-Williams-Livery-Rear.jpg" width="1280" />

"We’ll continue to strengthen the team both on and off the track through improvements to our infrastructure, investing in our people, and attracting fantastic new partners like Komatsu. Of course, there’s still a long way to go on this journey together but I know our fans, partners and everyone at Grove HQ is pushing as one to create new history for this iconic team," he added.

Alex Albon: “Coming off the back of a very positive year we’re hoping to build on our progress into 2024, working hard to make some good steps forward in performance. We’ve asked a lot of the team and the factory to get this car where it needs to be, and we’ve also slightly changed the philosophy of the car, so I’m interested to see if we can improve some of the characteristics it has historically had. It will require an adjustment in driving style but I’m confident it will be a change for the better.”

Logan Sargeant: "After unveiling this great livery I’m now itching to get behind the wheel of the FW46 and keep developing as a driver. I’ve had a productive off-season that has allowed me to prepare both physically and mentally for the year ahead. Taking the time to properly reflect on my rookie season, there’s been a lot of lessons learned and experience gained that can only benefit me as I enter this new season.

An on-track debut of the highly anticipated FW46 is planned for February 20 during a commercial filming day in Bahrain, where this <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/f1-williams-extends-mercedes-formula-1-engine-deal-until-2030-115811/">navy blue F1 car will be using the Mercedes power unit</a>. This historic occasion will occur before the official start of pre-season testing, which is scheduled to begin at the same Sakhir location on February 21. As the new Williams challenger takes the track, racing fans and Formula 1 fans will be able to experience the thrilling buildup to the forthcoming season.

F1: Williams Livery for 2024 Revealed, Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant Set to Compete with FW46 Race Car

During a high-profile launch event in New York, Williams introduced an all-new livery for its 2024 Formula 1 car, showcasing a fresh and captivating design.

Williams has confirmed that Mercedes-Benz continues to be its power unit provider for Formula 1 seasons beginning in 2026. The current arrangement guarantees the continuation of this relationship, which began in 2014 at the beginning of the turbo-hybrid era, through the forthcoming changes to technical regulations in 2026.

There has been a concerted attempt by manufacturers to strengthen their relationships as teams get ready for the 2026 engine regulation change. After reiterating their commitment to McLaren at the end of last year, Mercedes has confirmed that Williams will remain an integral part of their group.

Anticipating the forthcoming changes, Formula 1's future power units are set to exclusively utilize 100% sustainable fuel, thereby diminishing overall consumption. At the same time, improvements to the electrical systems are being developed to attain higher levels of performance.

<h2>F1: The 2026 Regulation Changes</h2>

In Brixworth, UK, Mercedes-AMG High-Performance Powertrains has been diligently developing new power unit for the 2026 season since mid-2022. These state-of-the-art power units are meticulously crafted to run exclusively on 100% sustainable fuel, aligning with stringent sustainability standards in both production and formulation. Notably, the forthcoming transition is expected to yield a substantial reduction in overall fuel consumption.

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The integrated electrical systems within the power unit have undergone a significant upgrade, elevating their performance capabilities. A standout enhancement is the incorporation of a single 350 kW electric motor, a notable leap in power, nearly three times more potent than the existing MGU-K. Consequently, Formula 1 power unit manufacturers are now tasked with developing an advanced, high-performance battery system to complement the upgraded electric motor.

<img alt="Williams FW145" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/06/Williams-FW145.jpg" width="1280" />

James Vowles, Team Principal at Williams: "We have enjoyed a long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz, and we are thrilled to extend this collaboration into the next era of Formula 1. The expertise, support and technology that Mercedes brings to the table align perfectly with our team's aspirations in the medium and long term. This long-term agreement with Mercedes is a positive step and forms part of our objectives for the future, whilst we will still retain our design and manufacturing expertise and capabilities in-house."

Toto Wolff said: "We are delighted to confirm Williams Racing as the second customer team that we will supply for the 2026 power unit regulations. Today’s news highlights the strength of the Mercedes-Benz offering in F1 and importantly not only validates, but reinforces, our overall motorsport strategy. Since 2014, we have continued to build and develop our relationship with Williams. As the team continues to put the foundations in place to challenge at the front of the grid, we look forward to supporting them with our power unit supply."

As Williams begin their rebuilding process, which is expected to take at least a decade, it is prudent for the team to maintain a reliable engine partner. This will allow them to concentrate on other aspects of the operation that need improvement.

With the new regulations, customer teams have a lot of supplier options; for example, Audi will join in 2026, Honda will return as a full works supplier, and Ford will pair up with Red Bull Power Trains. But Williams has decided to stick with what they know instead of trying something new.&nbsp;

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Williams Team Principal James Vowles has an extensive understanding of the work done by Mercedes HPP at Brixworth to produce a power unit that dominated the first seven years of the hybrid turbo era, thanks to his more than ten years of experience at Mercedes.

F1: Williams Extends Mercedes Formula 1 Engine Deal Until 2030

After a long partnership, Williams has confirmed that Mercedes-Benz would continue to provide their power units beginning with the 2026 Formula 1 season.

In line with Ferrari, Williams Racing and Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber have revealed the dates of the 2024 Formula 1 car launches. Prior to Ferrari's unveiling on the 13th of the same month, both teams have formally announced that their 2024 F1 Challengers will be unveiled on February 5, 2024. While teams get ready to unveil their 2024 vehicles and liveries, the Formula One launch season is drawing near. This is all happening before pre-season testing in Bahrain.

<h2>F1: Williams</h2>

James Vowles, who took over as Team Principal for Williams at the start of the 2023 Formula 1 season, guided the team to a 28-point Constructors' Championship seventh-place result. Even though Logan Sargeant had a rough debut season and only managed to put up a single point for the Grove-based squad. Alex Albon, on the other hand, had a remarkable showing, contributing 27 points. For the 2024 season, Williams will run with the same driver lineup.

<img alt="James Vowles" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/12/James-Vowles.jpg" width="1280" />

After years of underinvestment and neglect, Williams is now experiencing a redevelopment phase under Vowles's leadership. Former Alpine employee Pat Fry was appointed to the position in November 2023 and began working to improve the technical department. The 2023 season marked progress for Williams, but Vowles emphasizes a long-term vision for the team. The emphasis is on laying the groundwork for long-term success, yet we do not reject short-term gains.

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Having two drivers compete at a high level regularly is the team's first priority, thus Sargeant needs to keep improving if they want to move in the championship standings. Williams might become a major player in the next season thanks to these attributes and Albon's fast pace.

<h2>F1: Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber<img alt="F1 Alfa Romeo" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/12/F1-Alfa-Romeo.jpg" width="1280" /></h2>

In a first for the Hinwil-based Sauber team, the 2024 Formula 1 vehicle is about to be unveiled in the UK. Sauber will compete in the 2024 and 2025 seasons under a different moniker after their six-year association with Alfa Romeo ended. Audi is expected to take over the team in 2026. Not only does this signal the end of Alfa Romeo's F1 tenure, but it also heralds the beginning of the Audi era for Sauber in 2026.

Along with a new team name for 2024 and an impending partnership with Audi in 2026, Sauber is experiencing major changes. Furthermore, positive results are anticipated from a technical reorganisation at Hinwil, spearheaded by the hiring of James Key as Technical Director.&nbsp;

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Bottas said the 2024 car "looks interesting," and both drivers share this favourable outlook on the vehicle's potential. The one thing that is guaranteed is that the squad is looking at all possible options to make a strong return and give fans an even better 2024 season.

F1: Williams and Sauber Announce Livery Launch Dates for 2024 Season

Two more teams have announced their 2024 Formula 1 season launch dates: Williams and Sauber. Both teams have decided to unveil their seasons on February 5.

Williams