The renewed partnership between Komatsu and Atlassian Williams Racing
marks the continuation of a legacy built on engineering excellence,
shared values and championship heritage.
Komatsu’s history with Williams Racing began in the mid-1990s, a golden era for the team and a formative time for Komatsu’s involvement in Formula One. Back then, Komatsu-manufactured gearbox components played a critical role in the FW18 and FW19 — cars that helped Williams secure back-to-back Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships in 1996 and 1997. For Jim Barker, who worked on those gearboxes as a young technician, “The storied history is a foundation that the new partnership is built upon.”
Fast forward to today, and both brands are again aligned, not just on the track, but in purpose. Komatsu and Atlassian Williams Racing share a relentless commitment to innovation, the development of high-performing teams, and a vision of a sustainable, tech-driven future. This partnership isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about momentum.
As Formula One evolves, so too does Komatsu’s role in this partnership. While our past contributions supported technical performance on the track, today our focus is firmly on developing the next generation of engineering talent. Through initiatives like the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy and “Day in the Life,” we’re creating real-world opportunities for students, apprentices and early-career professionals to engage with high-performance engineering in action. These programs reflect Komatsu’s commitment to hands-on learning and to building a global workforce equipped for the future — one that shares our values of innovation, collaboration and technical excellence.
From past glory to future goals, this partnership is proof that when precision engineering meets shared ambition, history doesn’t just repeat, it accelerates.
Barker said, “The goal is to write a new chapter in the story and create value together.”
