Williams revives 1981 title-winning colours for F1's return to Madrid after 44 years

Williams will carry a one-off retro livery on its FW48 at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid on Sunday 13 September, reviving the white, green and navy blue colour scheme of the FW07C — the car that secured the team’s constructors’ championship in 1981.

The tribute carries particular resonance because 1981 also marks the last time Formula 1 visited the Spanish capital, when Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann lined up at the nearby Circuito de Jarama. The series now returns 44 years later at the newly constructed Madring, a 22-turn layout that blends permanent circuit sections with public roads.

Williams unveiled the livery at a fan event in Madrid’s Plaza de Callao on Tuesday evening. Team principal James Vowles framed the design as a statement of intent as much as a celebration of history.

“Our mission to get back to the front of the grid is drawn from, inspired by and informed by everything we’ve done before,” Vowles said. “I am incredibly proud to celebrate that through Atlassian’s special livery, connecting the team we were at Jarama with the team we are becoming today through focused collaboration, improved technological innovation, and real creativity. The car looks fantastic, and I cannot wait to see it lapping around Madrid.”

Carlos Sainz, an ambassador for the Madring circuit and preparing for what he describes as his first true home race in the capital, also welcomed the occasion. “It’s been even more special seeing this circuit come together over the past few months,” the Spaniard said. “It’s an honour to be bringing F1 back to Madrid where I drove a kart for the first time, and to race in front of the incredible home crowd.”

Both Sainz and team-mate Alex Albon will wear new race suits designed to match the one-off livery when the Spanish Grand Prix gets under way on Sunday.