Williams launches 'W50' expo to celebrate F1 milestone
Williams F1 Team will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a two-week fan experience in London, offering fans a look at its five decades of Formula 1 history.
W50 Live will be open at Leake Street across February 11 - 28, 2027, bringing together iconic cars, historic memorabilia and installations that will tell the story of one of the sport’s most successful teams.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see several of Williams’ most significant cars, including the FW06, the first car produced by Williams Grand Prix Engineering, and the FW11B, which Nelson Piquet drove to the 1987 drivers’ championship.
Other highlights include the FW14B, which helped Nigel Mansell secure the 1992 world title, the FW19 from Jacques Villeneuve’s championship-winning 1997 campaign, the FW25 driven by Juan Pablo Montoya in 2003, and the FW38, associated with Valtteri Bottas’ record speed of 378kph.
The event will also look towards the future, with a show car representing Williams’ 2027 challenger, the FW50. The name marks the team’s half-century milestone and follows a similar approach to its 40th anniversary, when it moved from the FW38 designation to the FW40.
Williams’ 50th anniversary celebrations will reflect a remarkable record in F1, including nine constructors’ championship titles, seven drivers’ championship titles and 114 grand prix victories. The team will become only the third in the sport, after Ferrari and McLaren, to reach 50 consecutive years of competition.
The choice of Leake Street also carries historical significance. The venue’s railway arches reflect the setting where team founder Frank Williams discovered co-founder Patrick Head working in a garage, bringing the anniversary celebration back to London’s industrial roots.
Marcus Prosser, marketing director of Williams F1 Team, said the event would provide a new way to connect with supporters.
“It will be a truly special way to kick off our celebrations of 50 years in the sport, showcasing some of the cars, characters and stories that have made Williams the iconic F1 team it is today,” Prosser said.
The experience will be open daily from 11am to 8pm, subject to final confirmation. Visitors of all ages are welcome, although under-16s must attend with an adult. A step-free route will also be available for wheelchair users.
Standard tickets start at £19.50, with advance booking recommended.
Tickets are available through the team’s official website at williamsf1.com/w50live. Fans can also enter competitions through the website and team app for the chance to win a VIP trip to the FW50 launch and free tickets to W50 Live.
