The centrepiece will be a unique opportunity for fans to travel through five decades of racing at the pinnacle of motorsport in a spectacular setting. ‘W50 Live’ will bring to life Williams’ remarkable story of triumph, tragedy and a relentless determination to succeed through a theatrical, multi-sensory journey featuring championship-winning cars and some of the most iconic memorabilia in the team’s history.
A ticketed event open to the public from 11-28 February 2027 at 26 Leake Street in Waterloo, W50 Live brings the story full circle: just over 50 years after Frank Williams discovered co-founder Patrick Head working in a garage under a London railway arch, the team will celebrate its extraordinary legacy beneath the capital’s railway arches once again, marking nine Constructors’ Championships, seven Drivers’ titles and 114 Grand Prix victories, with the next chapter still to be written. Tickets will go on pre-sale to W Club members on 26 October, with general sale following on 29 October. Full information is at williamsf1.com/w50live.
On display will be the FW06, the first car produced by Williams Grand Prix Engineering; the FW11B, driven to World Championship success by Nelson Piquet in 1987; the legendary FW14B which dominated 1992 and secured Nigel Mansell his crown; the FW19, 30 years on from Jacques Villeneuve’s 1997 title win; 2003’s FW25 which set the record for the fastest average speed in F1 history at the hands of Juan Pablo Montoya that stood for 17 years; and the FW38 which still holds the record for the highest speed ever reached by an F1 car – 378kph by Valtteri Bottas.
W50 Live will also feature a show car of Williams’ 2027 challenger, which will be named the FW50 to mark the momentous milestone of half a century in Formula 1. The designation skips straight from this year’s FW48, just as the team skipped from FW38 to FW40 on its 40th anniversary. Fans will have the opportunity to win a VIP trip to the FW50 launch and free tickets to W50 Live on williamsf1.com and through the team’s app.
The FW50 will be driven by Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, one of the most formidable line-ups on the grid and a partnership that embodies Williams’ proud history and bright future. Alex Albon is the driver with the most F1 starts in team history, having surpassed Nigel Mansell’s previous record of 95 in Barcelona this year. And Carlos Sainz is one of just three drivers – alongside Mansell and Alain Prost – to have raced for the only three teams to reach a 50th anniversary in F1: Ferrari, McLaren and now Williams. Together, Alex and Carlos are spearheading the team’s mission to return Williams to the front of the F1 grid.
With W50 Live in full flow in London, Williams will head to Italy on February 18th for F1 Live Milan: the sport’s showcase three-day fan event.
Later in the season fans will get the chance to choose Williams’ livery for its home race at Silverstone – a track that has played host to some of Williams’ most magical moments. They include the team’s first victory in 1979 with Clay Regazzoni and its 100th race win at the hands of Jacques Villeneuve in 1997. In total Williams has won eight times at Silverstone, with home favourite Nigel Mansell taking three of those wins and memorably giving Ayrton Senna a lift back on his sidepod after his dominant 42-second victory in 1991. The team is planning a special way for fans to pick the design, which will run for one race only at the British GP.
To celebrate the anniversary there will be a series of limited-edition merchandise and collectible drops honouring some of the standout moments, personalities and car designs that have made Williams what it is today. These include a W50 Monopoly set which will go on sale before Christmas, and a teNeues coffee table book capturing the emotion and passion of 50 years in F1 – all adorned with a commemorative W50 logo.
Today’s announcement is just the start, with many more 50th anniversary moments to be revealed over the coming months.
Alex Albon: “Williams is a very special and historic team that has created incredible memories for millions of fans throughout half a century of racing. It will be an honour to represent the team in its 50th year, and to give the supporters that cheer us on around the world a chance to be part of the celebrations too. The spirit that Frank Williams started with still drives us as a team, and I can't wait to experience that throughout the year."
Carlos Sainz: “Williams is an incredibly special team to be part of. There’s a real family feel and a set of values that you rarely find in any sport, and I’m very proud to be part of that. The 50th anniversary is a great moment to reflect on and celebrate everything this team has achieved, but it’s also about using that legacy as a reminder of where we want to be: at the front of this sport, both in terms of performance and innovation.
“We know what Williams has been capable of in the past, and now it’s our turn to keep building this team back into a winning team. It’s not an easy challenge, but it comes with an exciting journey, and on our 50th anniversary, I trust we will take another step towards our ultimate goal.”
James Vowles, Team Principal: “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. 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.”
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO, Formula 1: “It is incredible to celebrate 50 years of Williams in Formula 1. 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."
