A Tribute to the Team’s Glorious Past
Williams Racing has announced that it will reintroduce a modernized version of its famous ‘Forward W’ logo for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The design pays homage to the team’s legendary success under founder Sir Frank Williams and marks a symbolic step toward reviving its competitive legacy.
The team described the new design as “a 21st-century reimagining of Frank Williams’ famous ‘Forward W’,” which first appeared on cars when the team was established in 1977 and featured on all nine of Williams’ constructors’ championship-winning machines.
A Return to Roots After Two Decades
The original slanted ‘W’ disappeared when Williams partnered with BMW in 2000. Although a revised version of the letter returned in recent years, it lacked the unique forward-leaning style that came to represent the team’s winning era.
By bringing back this emblem, Williams is reconnecting with the visual identity that defined its golden age through the 1980s and 1990s, when it secured seven drivers’ titles and nine constructors’ crowns — ranking behind only Ferrari and McLaren in all-time success.
Honoring Legacy, Embracing the Future
Williams last celebrated a Formula 1 victory at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix. Since then, the team has faced years of struggle, compounded by financial challenges and the eventual sale of the operation to U.S.-based Dorilton Capital in 2019. Founder Sir Frank Williams passed away in 2021, leaving behind one of motorsport’s most influential legacies.
The new era under Dorilton aims to restore the team’s competitive edge, especially as Formula 1 prepares for its next major regulation overhaul in 2026 — a change that could level the playing field and open fresh opportunities.
Vowles on the Meaning Behind the Change
Team principal James Vowles explained the deeper significance of the logo revival:
“As a team we are inspired by our past but excited about our future, and committed to writing a new championship-winning chapter in Williams’ history. This evolved team identity reflects who we are, where we are going, and reintroduces our title-winning legacy to a growing F1 audience that was not following the sport when we were last dominant.”
The return of the ‘Forward W’ encapsulates more than nostalgia — it’s a statement of intent that Williams is ready to race forward once again.
