Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has backed Williams to avoid a "big loss" after missing the official five-day shakedown test in Barcelona last month.
Williams was the only team not present for any part of the running at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya but will attend this week's three-day test in Bahrain.
It has been a delayed start to 2026 for the Grove-based outfit, which also moved its livery launch event online and only completed its initial shakedown last week.
RacingNews365 discovered that the British outfit faced difficulties with the FIA's mandatory crash tests, with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz conducting simulations while the other teams were in Barcelona.
In Williams' statement confirming it would miss Barcelona, it put its absence down to "delays in the FW48 programme."
When it comes to mileage and data, Williams does find itself some way behind its competitors; however, Herbert is confident that this will not result in a major disadvantage.
Discussing Williams missing the Barcelona shakedown, Herbert told RacingNews365: "Yeah, but they will know what's been going on and the issues that have been around.
"So [missing Barcelona] maybe gives them a little bit of extra time to actually rethink the package they've got.
"At the moment, I don't think it's going to be a big loss, because once they get to Bahrain, they'll be able to do exactly what everybody else is doing.
"So there's an element of a shakedown loss of time on track, but fundamentally, these teams are so, so prepared.
"But once they get to Bahrain, I'm sure they will be able to do all the running they need to."
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes and Nick Golding, as they look back on last week's five-day F1 test in Barcelona. McLaren's upgrade strategy is discussed, as is Aston Martin grabbing much attention with its striking AMR26.
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