Williams faces criticism for special Spanish GP livery design choices
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 6:30 PM
Last updated Sep 11, 2026
The Williams F1 team drew criticism on social media for a special livery unveiled for the Spanish GP weekend. The design recreates colors used on the FW07 car during the 1979-1982 seasons, which featured sponsorship from the Saudi-based Mohammad Binladin Organization. Commentator Will Buxton raised concerns regarding the association with the bin Laden family, particularly given the timing of the race weekend coinciding with the September 11 anniversary. The Mohammad Binladin Organization was part of a broader consortium providing sponsorship to Williams starting in 1979. While some fans label the livery choice disrespectful due to the historical connection, others argue the sponsorship pre-dates the notoriety of Osama bin Laden and that the family has disowned him. Williams has not publicly addressed the specific controversy regarding the livery color scheme or its historical origins.
- •Williams unveiled a special livery based on the FW07 car used between 1979 and 1982.
- •The 1979 livery featured sponsorship from the Mohammad Binladin Organization.
- •Will Buxton noted the livery association on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
- •The Saudi Binladin Group currently maintains a 13.62% stake held by the bin Laden family.
- •Proponents of the livery note the design refers to a 1981 version without the specific sponsor name.
- 6:30 PMYahoo Sports — Williams Faces Criticism Over Spanish GP Livery’s Historic Bin Laden Connection – What is it?
"The Williams F1 team’s special livery for the Spanish GP weekend has raised some eyebrows on social media, considering the colours it is running that had links with the Bin Laden family. Williams showed its special livery for the F1…
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