Williams Reveal 1981-Inspired Livery for 2026 Spanish GP

Key Takeaways

What Is the New Williams Livery For?

The livery marks the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, the first Formula 1 race to take place at the new Madring circuit. Williams says the design is styled on the scheme carried by its FW07C cars in the 1981 Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama, which was the last grand prix held in Madrid before Madring’s arrival on the calendar this year. The team is using the new venue as the occasion to revive a look from one of its most successful early seasons.

The FW07C was Williams’ front-line car in 1981, a season in which the team fought for both championships. Choosing that specific livery for a race in the same city, 45 years on, gives the tribute a direct historical link rather than a generic retro paint job.

The 1981 Jarama Connection

The 1981 Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama was the last F1 race staged in Madrid before the sport returns to the city with the Madring circuit in 2026. That race is remembered as one of the closest finishes in F1 history, with Gilles Villeneuve taking a narrow win for Ferrari after holding off a queue of pursuers for lap after lap. Williams’ FW07Cs were part of the field that day, running the livery now being revived for this weekend.

By pairing the new circuit’s debut with a livery tied to the previous Madrid race, Williams is drawing a direct line between two very different eras of the sport separated by more than four decades.

How the Livery Looks on Track

The 2026 scheme reproduces the color layout and sponsor-era styling of the 1981 FW07C rather than simply applying a retro filter to the current car. Teams that run special liveries for historic tributes typically adjust the primary color blocking, accent stripes and number plate treatment to match the original design as closely as current regulations and sponsor obligations allow. Williams has not published full technical specifications of the new scheme, but the team has confirmed the reference point is the 1981 car that raced at Jarama.

Fans attending Madring or watching the broadcast will see the livery across both Williams cars for the full weekend, from practice through the race itself.

Albon and Sainz Carry the Tribute

Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will drive the retro-liveried Williams cars at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. Neither driver was racing in 1981, but both will represent the team in a livery that predates their careers by decades, giving the current lineup a visible connection to Williams’ history at a brand new venue.

For Williams, the timing lets the team mark a significant calendar milestone, F1’s return to Madrid, while reminding fans of a period when the team was a regular front-runner. See the current Williams lineup and more at Williams, and browse individual driver pages for Carlos Sainz.

Why This Matters for Collectors

A one-off historic livery like this typically becomes a reference point for collectors tracking Williams’ visual history across different eras. The 1981 FW07C scheme is one of the team’s most recognizable early liveries, tied to a season in which Williams fought for the championship, and reviving it for a landmark race such as Madring’s debut adds a specific, dated event to the livery’s story.

Full-size 1:1 replica helmets styled around current team liveries remain a way for fans to hold a physical piece of a season’s visual identity, whether that’s a modern scheme or a design that nods back to moments like the 1981 Spanish Grand Prix.

FAQ

Q: Why is Williams running a retro livery at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix?
Williams is honoring the 1981 Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama, the last F1 race held in Madrid before the new Madring circuit hosts the sport in 2026. The livery is based on the team’s FW07C from that season.

Q: Which drivers will run the special Williams livery?
Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will drive the retro-liveried Williams cars at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix at Madring.

Q: What car is the 2026 livery based on?
The livery is styled on the Williams FW07C, which raced in the 1981 Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama.

Q: Is Madring a new circuit on the F1 calendar?
Yes, the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix at Madring is the first F1 race at the venue and the first Madrid-based grand prix since the 1981 race at Jarama.

Q: Will the retro livery be a permanent change for Williams?
No, it is described as a special one-off scheme for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix weekend, not a change to Williams’ full-season livery.

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