Williams to stage London display for 50th anniversary celebrations
The Williams Formula 1 team will mark its 50th anniversary with what it calls "year-long celebrations" of its heritage, headlined by a commemorative display in London.
Six cars that represent significant moments in both Williams and F1 history will be part of the team's 'W50 Live' display at 26 Leake Street in central London, off Waterloo's iconic under-station graffiti tunnel, alongside an F1 showcar complete with the team's 2027 livery.
The car that uses that livery in competition will be known as the FW50, Williams has officially announced.
That is in keeping with its famous FW chassis moniker, in honour of founder Frank Williams, as the team 'skips' the FW49 name to mark the 50th anniversary of the F1 team's first race in 1977, when it ran as Williams Grand Prix Engineering.
The Leake Street display - which runs from February 11-28 and will be open to the public as a ticketed event - will include the first F1 car produced by Williams Grand Prix Engineering, the FW06, as well as the FW11B, FW14B, and FW19 cars driven to world championship success by Nelson Piquet in 1987, Nigel Mansell in 1992, and Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 respectively.
Williams has chosen to also note two F1 milestones with its other two car choices: the 2003 FW25 set the record for the fastest average speed in F1 history through Juan Pablo Montoya, which stood for 17 years, while 2016's FW38 still has the record for the highest speed ever reached by an F1 car, when Valtteri Bottas hit 378km/h (234.9mph) during that year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend.
It will also give fans the chance to choose the livery for its home race, the British GP at Silverstone. This is believed to be a full branding takeover including Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz's racesuits, team kit and garage as well as the car.
Limited-edition merchandise to honour "some of the standout moments, personalities and car designs that have made Williams what it is today" will be produced, including a W50 Monopoly set that is due to go on sale before Christmas.
Williams has promised there are "many more 50th anniversary moments to be revealed over the coming months".
Tickets for the 'W50 Live' event will go on pre-sale later this month. Members of Williams's W Club will have access to this on October 26, before a general sale follows on October 29. More information can be found at williamsf1.com/w50live
