Williams F1 Team Celebrates Legacy and Future at Factory Festival
Grove, UK — The Williams Formula 1 team showcased a unique juxtaposition of its heritage and contemporary engineering during the annual Factory Festival, featuring the historic FW08 alongside the current FW47.
Team Principal James Vowles emphasized the day’s significance: “This is such a special day every year where we come together and celebrate each and every team member alongside their family and friends,” he stated. The event included on-track demonstrations, with Vowles piloting the FW08—an icon that debuted in 1982 and secured the Drivers’ Championship with Keke Rosberg.
The FW08, equipped with a Ford Cosworth V8 engine, demonstrated the team’s storied legacy, contrasted by the FW47, which Sainz, now in his first season with Williams after joining from Ferrari, drove. The team currently ranks fifth in the Constructors’ Championship with 59 points after 12 races of the 2025 season. Sainz holds 15th in the Drivers’ standings with 13 points, while teammate Alex Albon sits eighth with 46 points.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Vowles acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly regarding Sainz’s results. “I think we haven’t delivered everything we can with him this year,” he remarked. He expressed optimism for upcoming races, emphasizing a focus on optimizing qualifying performance and achieving consistent results moving forward.
In summary, the Factory Festival not only celebrated Williams’ rich history but also set the stage for renewed ambitions as the 2025 season progresses.
