Williams runs iconic FW08 alongside FW47 at Grove factory festival

The Williams Formula 1 team ran its oldest running car, the FW08, and its current car, the FW47, together at Grove as part of the Factory Festival event.

The British team took the opportunity at the annual event, a celebration with the whole team and their families, to drive both cars alongside each other.

“Yesterday we hosted our annual Factory Festival at HQ in Grove,” team principal James Vowles shared. “This is such a special day every year where we come together and celebrate each and every team member alongside their family and friends.

“I was joined by Alex and Carlos 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!”

Vowles took to the seat of the historic FW08, which made its F1 debut at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix at the Zolder circuit and was driven by Keke Rosberg and Derek Daly – Rosberg won the 1982 championship with the car. The FW08, powered by a Ford Cosworth V8 engine, was a development of the FW07 but featured a shorter wheelbase.

Sainz drove alongside the team chief in the FW47. The Spanish driver joined the Grove outfit in 2025 after a four-year stint with Ferrari. After 12 races of the 2025 season, the team sits fifth in the constructors’ championship with 59 points. In the drivers’ standings, Sainz is 15th with 13 points and his team-mate Alex Albon is eighth with 46 points.

Vowles reflected on the first half of the year in an episode of The Vowles Verdict, while also looking ahead to the remainder of the season.

“Let’s start with Carlos. I think we haven’t delivered everything we can with him this year, and it’s been an accumulation of aspects.”

He added, “For me it’s about drawing a line in the sand and moving forward from Spa onwards. We have a number of really good races coming up for us, and it’s about delivering the results.

“It’s making sure we start to really focus on why we’re not getting everything out of qualifying and dig into that to get the best performance possible. And so for Carlos, it’s achieving the results that I know we are capable of together – which we haven’t done this year.”