Williams unveils Union Jack livery for Silverstone

Williams unveiled a one-off Union Jack-inspired livery for its home British Grand Prix at Silverstone, turning the usual blue FW48 into a red, white and blue tribute for the team’s biggest home weekend. The design moved the Union Jack elements from the engine cover to the nose area and chassis sides, and Carlos Sainz Jnr and Alexander Albon were set to wear matching race suits. Williams also rolled out a special team kit and trackside takeover gear for mechanics and engineers, with fans able to buy the commemorative New Era kit online.

The campaign extended beyond the circuit, with a show car and livery display touring Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh and London before the race. Williams said the promotion was meant to engage fans and celebrate racing in front of a home crowd, with free London fan zones set to feature Albon, team principal James Vowles and former driver Damon Hill.

Vowles said Silverstone has been the setting for many of Williams’ biggest milestones and that the home crowd gives the team a boost across the weekend. The team linked the celebration to Clay Regazzoni’s first Grand Prix win for Williams at Silverstone in 1979, Jacques Villeneuve’s 100th Formula 1 victory for the team at the circuit in 1997 and Nigel Mansell’s three British Grand Prix wins. Williams has eight British Grand Prix wins at Silverstone overall, arrived at the weekend eighth in the constructors’ standings with 11 points, and brought a substantial upgrade package aimed at solving an overweight car issue as it looked to move back into the top 10.