Three milestones for the anniversary year
Williams unveiled its plans on 15 October to celebrate 50 years in Formula 1 during 2027. The team has linked the anniversary to three main projects: the FW50 name for its next car, the W50 Live experience in London and a fan-picked design for the British Grand Prix. The programme announced so far begins a series of events, with further details promised over the coming months.
Why the next car will be called FW50
The designation moves directly from the current FW48 to FW50 to mark the anniversary. Williams used a similar approach when it went from FW38 to FW40 for its 40-year milestone. Confirming the name does not yet reveal the car’s technical solutions. The team says the London exhibition will include a show car carrying its 2027 identity; that should be distinguished from a detailed presentation of the machine that will race.
W50 Live: when and where
The experience is scheduled for 11–28 February 2027 at 26 Leake Street in London’s Waterloo area. Williams describes six themed spaces, with characters guiding visitors, heritage cars and objects from its archive. The list includes the FW06, FW11B, FW14B, FW19, FW25 and FW38. This article’s photograph shows a FW14B driven by Karun Chandhok at Silverstone in 2017, providing context for the team’s heritage.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| W Club member pre-sale | 26 October 2026 |
| General sale | 29 October 2026 |
| London exhibition | 11–28 February 2027 |
Fans will choose the Silverstone look
Another part of the programme is a special colour scheme for the home race, chosen with supporter participation. The announcement says the design will be used for one round, at Silverstone. The exact process and final options should be followed through team communications. For W50 Live tickets, the official event page remains the reference for availability and any changes; the pre-sale has not yet opened at this article’s publication.
History provides context; progress is measured on track
In announcing the programme, Williams cites nine constructors’ titles, seven drivers’ titles and 114 Grand Prix victories. APEX perspective: the exhibition offers a way to place those achievements in context and introduce the team to a new generation of fans. The FW50 name and interest in the events describe the project’s identity; the next car’s performance will require a separate assessment through its 2027 results.
