Williams have been forced to withdraw from the opening day of Formula One pre-season testing because their car is not ready.

The British team were due to be among the sport’s 10 outfits to hit the track at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya on Monday for the opening winter running.

But in a blow to the team, which last year finished rooted to the foot of the constructors’ championship, Claire Williams has revealed they will only be watching from the sidelines.

Williams have been forced to withdraw from the opening day of Formula One testing

The Williams deputy team principal said: ‘Unfortunately, we have had to delay the start of our pre-season Barcelona test to Tuesday morning.

‘We have had an incredibly busy winter at Grove getting the FW42 prepared for the season ahead and, despite everyone’s best efforts, we need some more time before it will be ready to run.

‘Our absolute priority is to always ensure we bring a car to the track that is the best that it can be and sometimes that takes longer than you’d anticipate or like. It’s clearly not ideal, but equally it’s not the end of the world.

British team were due to be among sport’s 10 outfits to hit the track in Barcelona on Monday

‘We will obviously have our work cut out to recover the time lost but we still have seven days of testing left and we will be maximising that time to prepare the car for the first race.’

British rookie George Russell, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Friday, and the returning Robert Kubica will now be playing catch-up for a team bidding to bounce back from last season’s miserable campaign.

The first pre-season takes place over four days before a second four-day test the following week. The new campaign starts in Melbourne on March 17.

England star Manu Tuilagi is in talks about a £2.5million to move to France after this year’s World Cup.

Racing 92 have opened negotiations after the centre visited Paris last Monday for a tour of the Top 14 club’s training facilities.

Early proposals have been made for a three-year deal which smashes the offer tabled by Leicester to keep him at Welford Road.

England star Manu Tuilagi is in talks about a £2.5million to move to France after the World Cup

Bankrolled by billionaire Jacky Lorenzetti, Racing want to add Tuilagi to their playing roster which already includes Finn Russell and Simon Zebo.

The 27-year-old met a host of Racing players during his visit and it is understood that his prospective employers raised the issue of his England ambitions.

Tuilagi would sacrifice his Test career if he moved to France but, at 28, the 2019 World Cup is likely to be the peak of his career.

Tigers coach Geordan Murphy wants to keep hold of the midfielder but the Premiership club could struggle to compete with the financial package.

‘If Manu plays as well as he does, people across the world are going to offer him huge money,’ said Murphy. ‘It’s a difficult one. I genuinely think Manu’s heart is in Leicester and I hope we manage to keep him. The process is in place and we’re in negotiations. Hopefully we can resolve it.’

Racing 92 have opened negotiations after the centre visited Paris last Monday for a tour