P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Williams F1 boss James Vowles explains why his team is behind schedule.
Williams’ team principal, James Vowles, has clarified the decision to forgo the first F1 2026 pre-season test in Barcelona due to delays in completing their new car.
Williams aims to debut their FW48 at the first Bahrain test after successful completion of required tests post the delays.
A filming day with the 2026 challenger is scheduled before the Bahrain test on 11-13 February.
Vowles emphasized the team’s pursuit of pushing boundaries for transformation and readiness for the upcoming tests.
While Williams could have participated in Barcelona, Vowles maintained that the focus was on optimal preparation for Bahrain and Melbourne.
Speculations regarding the chassis being overweight were denied by Vowles, who highlighted the need for thorough assessments before drawing conclusions.
