The word iconic is often overused — but a partnership between tech giant Atlassian and Atlassian Williams Racing can only be defined as such. The scrappy pair have not always had the easiest journeys, but they've teamed up to return the F1 team back to where it belongs: At the top.

The story: At the F1 United States Grand Prix, Williams rolled out a 2002 throwback car design to celebrate Williams' title and technology partnership with Atlassian and commemorate how both the two companies have survived and thrived in the face of relentless change.

What you need to know: The FW24-inspired livery debuted at Lone Star Ranch in Austin, hosted by Drive to Survive's Will Buxton.

The one-off special design, inspired by the striking blue and white color scheme of the FW24, was unveiled by Williams driver Carlos Sainz alongside Atlassian co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Mike Cannon-Brookes and 2002 Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya.

• The details: It's a full throwback to 2002 — the year that Atlassian was founded and Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya claimed pole — the starting spot at the very front of the grid for the race — in Monza, Italy with the fastest lap of any circuit at the time in F1 history. It was also the only car other than Ferrari to win a race in 2002.
• F1 legend Juan Pablo Montoya kept it real: "It is incredible to think about how much has changed in F1 since 2002 but the key ingredients for success have remained the same: teamwork, innovation and a relentless determination to succeed.
• Carlos Sainz, another F1 superstar who has won four Formula One Grands Prix across 11 seasons, chimed in: "I have seen first hand how Atlassian's software and approach to teamwork is helping move the team forward, and I am excited about what the future holds."

The background: Atlassian joined Williams at the beginning of 2025 to help push the team back to the front of the grid. They're not just slapping a logo on the car — they're embedded in the way the team works.

So far, it's paying off — Williams is firmly in comeback mode, currently sitting fifth in the Constructors' Championship, which ranks teams by total points across the season. It's their strongest performance since 2016.

Worth a mention: Atlassian's journey started with two university buddies, Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar, $10,000 in credit card debt and a multibillion dollar idea. It is now the leading provider of collaboration software used by a whopping 300,000 customers across the globe. One learning here: Don't be afraid to accumulate credit card debt.

Williams has a similar story. In 1977, Sir Frank Williams and Sir Patrick Head began with a shoestring budget to become one of the top-three most successful F1 teams of all time with 114 wins, nine Constructors' World Championships and seven Drivers' World Championships.

Looking ahead to F1's major regulation changes in 2026, Williams is using every tool to gain an edge — and Atlassian's tech is one of them.

• Mike Cannon-Brookes, CEO of Atlassian: "Atlassian and Williams were both founded on teamwork. Our beginnings were similar — two mates with big ideas and a hell of a lot of passion, ready to do something big. So we're thrilled that Atlassian can now partner with Williams as they drive towards a new era of greatness, using technology to help power their move up the grid. This 2002-inspired livery celebrates both teams' legacy and the bright future ahead for Atlassian Williams Racing."

Some examples: The team is using Atlassian's products and System of Work, an approach to teamwork that emphasizes collaboration between all teams and leverages AI to maximize impact and innovation.

• Using Jira Product Discovery to prioritize engineering projects according to the lap time they will deliver.
• AI and automation are being introduced across Williams' workflow. From generating reports automatically to Rovo agents surfacing expert insights within the Atlassian suite, AI teammates are helping many teams move faster.
• Streamlining complex processes with Loom. This feature is nifty — Loom enables Williams team members to create short, explainer videos based on complex workflows. Team members are then able to use the step-by-step guides for self-learning.
• Managing machine maintenance faster using Jira Asset Management. Williams is now working towards having one source of truth for all machinery, history and timeline needs.

The takeaway: This is a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration. Some partnerships just make sense. Atlassian and Williams are proof that grit, innovation and teamwork — whether in code or on track — can drive a comeback. This isn't just a throwback; it's an opportunity to make dreams come true.

Let's go racing.