P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Williams is poised not to take part in F1’s behind-closed-doors first pre-season test in Barcelona after unforeseen circumstances.
According to RacingNews365, Williams will miss the first F1 2026 pre-season test in Barcelona next week. All 11 teams were supposed to participate in the five-day session at the Circuit de Catalunya, but Williams has faced challenges in passing mandatory crash tests set by the FIA. This situation may lead to the team’s exclusion from the test. If Williams does not participate, drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will have limited track time before the season opener in Bahrain. Williams had faced similar issues in 2019, missing the initial days of testing. The team has yet to respond to requests for comment on the current situation. More updates are expected to follow on this matter.
