Restored Williams FW25 set for competitive return after 23 years

A restored Williams FW25 Formula 1 car from the 2003 season is set to return to competitive track action after more than two decades in storage. The car is due to run at the Nürburgring before further 2026 BOSS GP appearances at Magny-Cours, the Red Bull Ring and Mugello.

The FW25 carries a notable place in Williams history: Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya used it as a test car during a season in which Williams finished second in the Constructors' Championship. Its revival has been handled by Williams Heritage, with support from engineers who worked on the car during its original era.

A major part of the appeal is technical as much as nostalgic. The car's 3.0-litre V10 engine has been brought back into service and is reported to be running to its 2003 specification, including a 19,000 rpm operating figure. Williams Heritage director Jonathan Kennard also highlighted the emotional impact of hearing the engine run again.

Phil Stratford, the car's owner, is expected to drive it in the BOSS GP events. One claim to treat carefully is Kennard's comparison between the FW25's lap-time potential and modern Formula 1 machinery, which is interesting but would need independent timing context before being framed as a direct performance verdict.