Williams confirm new livery for this weekend's Texas F1 race
Ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix, Williams have unveiled the rear wing design chosen by fans that will feature the FW46 at the Circuit of the Americas.
The FW46 cars driven by Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto will feature six fan digital alter egos from the pioneering Williams Racing Cosmos Collection after tens of thousands of fans around the world voted in the Grove-based outfit's second Rear Wing Takeover contest.
Under the latest initiative, Williams and its Official Crypto and Web3 Partner Kraken sent 100,000 supporters registered with its Grid Pass programme their own unique collectible PFP, designed by leading Web3 artist Candy Apple – and gave them the chance to get their character on the car.
Grid Pass holders submitted their designs, which were then narrowed down to 12 and put to three rounds of fan voting to make up the final livery enhancement that will be seen by during this weekend's United States Grand Prix, in what will also be Alex Albon’s 100th Formula 1 race.
More than 35,000 votes were cast for the winning design, featuring Cosmos Collection characters with clothing inspired by different eras from Williams’ illustrious history.
The design can also be seen on a Williams showcar at the team’s Austin city centre Fan Zone presented by Kraken.
Williams' Commercial Director James Bower noted: “We are always looking for innovative ways to showcase our proud F1 history and bold ambition to our growing global fanbase and the Williams Racing Cosmos Collection is a perfect example of that.
"Combining iconic Williams Racing branding with leading Web3 technology has proven hugely popular and we are looking forward to seeing this eye-catching design out on track.”
Commenting on the new design, Candy Apple, who acts as Web3 artist and Cosmos Collection designer, noted : “This project was incredibly special to me! It allowed me to combine the cutting-edge technology of blockchain with the rich, iconic history of Williams Racing.
"I had a blast creating these ten characters for Williams. It was a fun challenge to design something enjoyable for all ages, while also finding ways to weave their history into various traits.
"Having my art featured on the rear wing of a Formula 1 car is beyond special. As a Web3 creator, it's particularly unique – offering a creative and exciting way for digital collectibles to be seen by the world. My ultimate goal with my art has always been to just make people smile, and I’m grateful to Kraken and Williams for helping make that more of a reality.”
Kraken's CMO Mayur Gupta commented: "At Kraken, we're passionate about empowering creators and fans alike through Web3 technologies.
"The Rear Wing Takeover contest is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives, and we're excited to see the Williams Racing Cosmos Collection come to life on the Williams Racing cars.
"By combining innovative technology, design, and fan engagement, we're helping push the boundary of what's possible in the world of motorsports and beyond. We're honoured to be a part of this bold initiative and look forward to continue bringing unique experiences to fans worldwide in our partnership with Williams."
