Williams unveils special livery ahead of Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid

Williams will mark the return of Formula 1 to Madrid by racing in a special livery inspired by the colors of their 1981 championship-winning FW07C, which was the car the team raced the last time the sport competed in the Spanish capital.

The livery, which will adorn the cars of home hero Carlos Sainz and teammate Alex Albon, features white, green and dark blue, paying homage to the 1981 design raced by Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann at Madrid’s Jarama circuit.

Williams says the design demonstrates how they are using knowledge, techniques and lessons from the past to inspire them to return to the front lines.

“From the engineers who developed the FW07C to the teammates who prepared the FW48, the same spirit of innovation, precision and teamwork continues to shape Williams,” the British team said.

The unique design was showcased during Sainz’s appearance in the fan zone at Madrid’s Plaza de Callao on Tuesday night, ahead of the first Spanish Grand Prix at the new, part-built, 22-turn Madrina.

“Our mission to get back to the forefront is built on, inspired and informed by everything we have done before,” said team principal James Vowles.

“I am incredibly proud to celebrate this through [title sponsor] A special Atlassian flavor that unites the team we were at Jarama with the team we are becoming today through focused collaboration, enhanced technology innovation and true creativity.

“The car looks fantastic and I can’t wait to see it racing around Madrid.”

Sainz will compete in his 13th Spanish Grand Prix, but first in Madrid, the city where he was born, raised and began his motorsport career.

He and teammate Alex Albon will be in contention for the team’s first points since Albon finished eighth in Monaco eight weekends into the Grand Prix.

The British team, which finished a superb fifth place last year, is currently ninth in the teams’ championship with 11 points, five behind Audi.