Williams held its annual Factory Festival on July 19, 2025, at the team’s Grove headquarters, welcoming Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, and James Vowles among those in attendance. This event marks an important tradition for Williams, bringing team members together with their families and friends to celebrate their shared commitment to the legendary Formula 1 outfit. The festival was particularly significant this year as it was Carlos Sainz’s first since joining Williams after his departure from Ferrari.
Carlos Sainz transitioned to Williams for the 2025 F1 season after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. Without a confirmed seat earlier in the year, Sainz’s signing by Williams to partner Alex Albon was a pivotal move for both the driver and the team.
Celebrating Williams Heritage with a Special FW08 Run
During the festival, Williams paid homage to its rich history by running the iconic Williams FW08 on their own track. This historic car was the vehicle in which Keke Rosberg secured his sole World Championship in 1982, symbolizing a proud moment in the team’s legacy. Videos and images shared across Williams’ official social media accounts captured James Vowles and Carlos Sainz driving the FW08 alongside a modern Formula 1 car, linking past and present in a memorable display.
James Vowles, the Williams Team Principal, reflected on the event, emphasizing the importance of the annual gathering.
“Yesterday we hosted our annual Factory Festival at HQ in Grove. 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 said. Vowles also recounted the experience on track, stating,
“I was joined by Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz on stage and we also got the chance to run the iconic FW08 on quite literally, our home turf. The weather may of been a little bit damp, but that didn’t stop us from having another brilliant day out!”
Sporting Director Praises the Impact of Carlos Sainz at Williams
Carlos Sainz arrived at Williams amid interest from other teams such as Sauber and Alpine but chose to join because of his confidence in the team’s future under James Vowles. Sven Smeets, Williams’ Sporting Director, highlighted the value Sainz has brought to the organization since his arrival. He acknowledged the Spaniard’s influence beyond just driving, crediting him with positive contributions to the team’s technical development and race preparation strategies for the 2026 season.
“Carlos is a fantastic person to work with. He’s made a big impact across the board – not just on the car and technical side, but also in how the race team operates and how we’re preparing for 2026. His experience at multiple teams and in race-winning machinery has brought us something we were probably still missing.” — Sven Smeets, Sporting Director
While Alex Albon has maintained a performance edge over Sainz this season, Vowles has recognized the Spaniard’s hard work behind the scenes, particularly in collaborating closely with aerodynamicists and engineers to maximize the team’s car performance.
Looking Ahead: Williams and Sainz Prepare for Belgian Grand Prix
Following the Factory Festival, the Williams team, bolstered by the recent addition of Carlos Sainz, will return to the Formula 1 paddock on July 27 for the Belgian Grand Prix. The combination of seasoned leadership, fresh talent, and engineering efforts demonstrated at the festival signals Williams’ determined push forward. As Sainz continues to integrate into the team and apply his expertise, Williams hopes to build momentum towards a competitive showing throughout the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is number 13 banned in F1?
A. Yes, the number 13 is permitted. Pastor Maldonado used this number when the permanent numbering system started in 2014. Although some cultures view it as unlucky, Formula 1 allows drivers to decide their numbers.
Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?
A. Born in 1985, Lewis Hamilton is a British race car driver in Formula One. He drives for Mercedes and has also raced for McLaren. Hamilton openly talks about his experiences with ADHD and shares his various interests and hobbies.
Q. Is 69 allowed in F1?
A. Right now, drivers can choose a number between 0 and 99 for their careers. Only the World Champion can use the number 1. A number can’t be reassigned unless a driver hasn’t raced for two seasons, except for the number 1.
Q. Which F1 drivers have ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton is a British race car driver born in 1985. He competes in Formula One for the Mercedes team but has also driven for McLaren. Hamilton openly talks about having ADHD and shares details about his various hobbies and interests.