A historic Williams Formula One car from the 2003 season is set to make a competitive return to the track after spending more than two decades in storage.
The Williams FW25, which was driven during the 2003 campaign by Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya, has undergone a year-long restoration led by the team’s heritage division at its Grove headquarters. The car originally helped Williams secure second place in the Constructors’ Championship that season.
The restored machine will make its racing comeback at Germany’s famous Nürburgring circuit before appearing in three additional rounds of the 2026 BOSS GP championship at Magny-Cours, the Red Bull Ring and Mugello.
Williams Heritage director Jonathan Kennard, who oversaw the project, described the FW25 as one of the most beloved cars in the team’s history.
According to Kennard, having engineers and mechanics who originally worked on the car involved in the restoration was invaluable. He said their knowledge helped ensure the car was rebuilt to an exceptionally high standard, potentially even surpassing its original condition.
The FW25 had remained untouched since its final outing in 2003 and had not turned a wheel in competitive conditions since then. Bringing it back to life required extensive work, including the revival of its iconic 3.0-litre V10 engine.
Kennard said the team restored the power unit to its original specification, allowing it to run at up to 19,000rpm, just as it did during the 2003 Formula One season. He noted that the distinctive sound of V10-powered Formula One cars remains one of the most cherished memories for long-time fans.
The first engine start after the restoration proved to be an emotional moment for those involved in the project. Kennard said the unmistakable roar of the V10 reminded many team members why the FW25 continues to hold a special place in Williams history.
Despite Formula One’s technological advances over the past two decades, Kennard pointed out that the FW25’s performance remains impressive. He said modern Formula One cars produce lap times that are surprisingly close to those achieved by the 2003 challenger.
The car will be raced in the BOSS GP series by its owner, Phil Stratford, who described the opportunity as the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. Stratford said competing with the support of Williams Heritage and the engineers who know the car best makes the experience particularly special.
The return of the FW25 marks a rare revival of one of Formula One’s most memorable V10-era machines, bringing a piece of racing history back to life on some of Europe’s most renowned circuits.