Williams hits track to start F1 testing after FW42 delays

Williams has finally started Formula 1 pre-season testing after lengthy delays preparing its FW42 car.

The British squad were forced to cancel a planned shakedown and also miss the opening two days of pre-season testing at Circuit de Catalunya due to problems with its build of its 2019 F1 car.

The Williams FW42 arrived in Barcelona at 4am on Wednesday morning with the team working on installation and building the car at the track.

Team officials said it was “unlikely” the car would be ready for track action until after the 1pm lunchbreak, with George Russell eventually getting on track in the Williams shortly after the break to complete an installation lap. 

Williams, who have secured ROKiT as title sponsors for 2019, will now look to play catch-up having already lost over a quarter of pre-season testing track time.

Russell is expected to complete a fast-tracked shakedown and installation runs in the FW42 to begin Williams’ revised testing programme.

The first F1 pre-season testing concludes tomorrow (February 21) with the second four-day test taking place next week (February 26-March 1).

The next track opportunity F1 teams will have will be the opening free practice session for the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park (March 15-17).