One Formula 1 team is set to miss the opening 2026 pre-season test, it has been announced.
The opening pre-season test takes place behind-closed-doors at the Circuit de Catalunya between January 26-30.
The test isn't expected to focus particularly on performance, with teams using the five days to get to grips with the new aerodynamic and downforce systems ahead of the main block of testing.
Four car liveries will not even have been unveiled by the time of day one in Barcelona, with Williams, Cadillac, McLaren and Aston Martin set to reveal their 2026 challengers at the beginning of February.
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Given the significant regulation changes set to be introduced in 2026, it has been a challenging winter for all 11 F1 teams as they attempt to put themselves on the best possible footing.
F1-Insider claimed last week that three teams - Red Bull, Ferrari and Alpine - 'may have difficulty getting a race-ready car onto the track for the first day of testing', given the design and logistical issues associated with the short-notice window between the end of the 2025 season and the private test in January
The same outlet, via German F1 journalist Ralf Bach, reported earlier this week that, as per 'rumours', a fourth team may not necessarily make it to Barcelona.
Bach claimed: "What I keep hearing more and more often is that Williams won't even make it to the first week in Barcelona, not even for chassis reasons.
"So there are people who say they're not even going there because the chassis isn't up to scratch with all that extra weight and they just can't manage it.
"Can't manage it with a lot of excess weight and they just can't get it right. That's rumoured.
"Whether it's true, we'll see. If Williams is there then it wasn't true. But if it is there, well, good night."
Williams have now officially confirmed that they will not be attending the opening private test in Barcelona, in a major blow ahead of 2026.
"Atlassian Williams F1 Team has taken the decision not to participate in next week's shakedown test in Barcelona following delays in the FW48 programme as we continue to push for maximum car performance," the statement reads.
"The team will instead conduct a series of tests including a VTT programme next week with the 2026 car to prepare for the first official test in Bahrain and the first race of the season in Melbourne.
"We are looking forward to getting on track in the coming weeks and want to thank all our fans for your continued support - there is a lot to look forward to together in 2026."
Given that the first official test session ahead of 2026 takes place in Bahrain from February 11-13, it appears the team is viewing that as a more realistic goal in terms of bringing an ultra-competitive car.
Of course, although lap times are a barometer of how competitive a team is ahead of the new season, the main goals of testing are to have as much track and development time as possible in order to iron out any car issues, along with collating driver feedback.
Williams finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship last season, with Carlos Sainz collecting two podium finishes.
It was a season of contrasting thirds for both drivers, with Sainz scoring just nine points compared to team-mate Alex Albon's 72 in the first 16 Grands Prix.
In the final eight races, however, Sainz scored 48 points - including both of his podiums - while Albon collected just three.
Topics: Formula 1
Ryan Smart