Key Highlights:
- Williams Racing has unveiled plans for its 50th anniversary in 2027, joining Ferrari and McLaren as only the third team to reach 50 consecutive years in Formula 1.
- Celebrations will kick off in London with ‘W50 Live’, an immersive exhibition showcasing historic race cars including the FW06, FW14B, and FW38, alongside a show car of the newly designated 2027 challenger, the FW50.
- Fans will have the opportunity to vote on a bespoke car livery for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, accompanied by special merchandise and commemorative events throughout the season.
Williams Prepares to Mark Half a Century in Formula 1
Williams have outlined plans for their 50th anniversary year in 2027, with a milestone chassis designation, an immersive experience in London and a fan-picked Silverstone car livery all set to feature throughout a calendar of special events. Reaching the five-decade milestone places Williams in elite company, as the outfit becomes only the third F1 team, following rivals Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren, to celebrate 50 continuous years on the Formula 1 grid.
The golden jubilee comes just over five decades after late founder Sir Frank Williams discovered co-founder Patrick Head working in a garage beneath a London railway arch. That pivotal partnership launched Williams Grand Prix Engineering into the upper echelons of motorsport history, yielding nine World Constructors’ Championships, seven World Drivers’ Championships, and 114 Grand Prix victories.
‘W50 Live’ Immersive Exhibition and the FW50 Chassis
Described as the “centrepiece” of the upcoming celebrations, Williams will commence its 2027 festivities with the ‘W50 Live’ experience located in Waterloo, London. The event is slated as a theatrical, multi-sensory journey featuring title-winning machinery and historic memorabilia that trace the team’s evolution across the decades.
Notable racing machines set for display include the FW06, which served as the first chassis manufactured by Williams Grand Prix Engineering; the FW14B, which dominated the 1992 season to power Nigel Mansell to the Drivers’ World Championship; and the FW38, which retains the record for the highest top speed ever reached by a Formula 1 car at 378kph, set by Valtteri Bottas during the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix.
The ‘W50 Live’ presentation will also reveal a show car of the team’s 2027 competition challenger. In honor of the milestone, the chassis will carry the official designation of FW50. Williams will skip directly from this year’s FW48 designation, mirroring the adjustment made a decade prior when the team bypassed the FW39 to introduce the FW40 for its 40th anniversary.
Fan-Voted Silverstone Livery and Commemorative Releases
As part of the celebrations, Williams will invite fans to participate directly by selecting the car livery that will race at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The historic British circuit holds profound significance for the team, having hosted Williams’ breakthrough maiden Formula 1 victory with Clay Regazzoni in 1979 as well as its landmark 100th Grand Prix win with Jacques Villeneuve in 1997.
Supporting the on-track tributes, the squad is developing an array of limited-edition merchandise and collectible items featuring a bespoke, commemorative W50 emblem, with additional anniversary moments scheduled for reveal in the months ahead.
Leadership Reflections: Tributes from James Vowles and Stefano Domenicali
Reflecting on the longevity and heritage of the Grove-based team, Williams Team Principal James Vowles emphasized the enduring ethos instilled by its founders.
“It is incredible to think that over 100 F1 teams have come and gone since Frank Williams built this team from next to nothing with a determination to race and win against motorsport’s powerhouses,” said Williams Team Principal James Vowles. “That independence, passion and relentless will to win remain in our DNA as we enter our 50th year. Our celebrations will reintroduce the heroes and stories that have forged Williams’ legacy to a new generation of fans, who will carry us forward to reach new heights.”
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali also highlighted the outfit’s permanent imprint on the identity of the world championship.
“It is incredible to celebrate 50 years of Williams in Formula 1,” added Stefano Domenicali. “Sir Frank Williams built one of the defining teams in our sport, founded on determination, resilience and an uncompromising desire to succeed. Those values continue to inspire the team today as it writes the next chapter of its remarkable story. Williams is not only a vital part of our history, but of Formula 1’s identity, with achievements, memories and moments that will forever hold a special place in our sport.”
Why This Matters
In modern Formula 1, longevity of this magnitude is exceedingly rare. Out of the scores of privateer outfits that have entered Grand Prix racing over the decades, only Ferrari, McLaren, and now Williams have maintained uninterrupted involvement for 50 continuous seasons. The 2027 milestone serves as a celebration of historic success—including 16 total world titles—while providing commercial and fan engagement platforms as Williams continues its broader operational and technical rebuilding efforts under current ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which other Formula 1 teams have competed for 50 continuous years?
Only Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren have achieved 50 or more uninterrupted years in Formula 1. In 2027, Williams will become the third team in the championship’s history to reach this milestone.
Why will the 2027 Williams car be designated the FW50?
Williams is adjusting its chassis naming sequence to commemorate the team’s 50th anniversary. Moving directly from the FW48, the squad will name its 2027 car the FW50, repeating the convention used in 2017 when it jumped from FW38 to FW40 for its 40th anniversary.
What historic cars will be exhibited at the ‘W50 Live’ event in London?
The London Waterloo exhibition will feature several iconic machines from Williams history, including the team’s first car (FW06), the 1992 championship-winning FW14B, the speed-record-holding FW38, and a show car representing the FW50.
