Mercedes have supplied a primary have a look at the W17, the 2026 challenger that many consider will allow the Silver Arrows to return to the entrance of the grid.
The introduction of recent chassis and energy unit laws for the 2026 season, extensively thought of to be the most important change within the sport’s historical past, has supplied Mercedes with the chance to place 4 disappointing years of efficiency behind them.
Having received eight successive constructors’ titles from 2014-2021 following the introduction of hybrid engines, the Silver Arrows didn’t problem for titles from 2022-2025 as they struggled to understand the aerodynamic challenges of the ‘ground-effect’ period.
With brand-new energy models coming to the game for the primary time since Mercedes took full management in 2014, the German model’s prowess in engine growth has seen them put in as early favourites to start the brand new era on the entrance foot.
The chief beneficiary of such a situation can be Britain’s George Russell, who has been vastly spectacular since becoming a member of the crew in 2022 regardless of not having been supplied with a persistently quick automotive.
The 27-year-old is primed to mount his first title problem, as he varieties an unchanged driver line-up alongside Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli, who completed 2025 strongly after a regarding wobble throughout the center of his rookie marketing campaign.
Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff stated: “Formulation 1 will endure important change in 2026, and we’re ready for that transition. The brand new laws demand innovation and absolute focus throughout each space of efficiency.
Britain’s George Russell will drive alongside Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli for a second season
“Our work on the new car, and the long-term development of the Power Unit and advanced sustainable fuels with Petronas, reflects that approach.
“Releasing the primary pictures of the W17 is just the following step in that course of. It represents the collective, sustained effort of our groups in Brixworth and Brackley. We’ll proceed to push onerous within the months forward.”
The crew largely caught with the silver and black look that had been on their 2025 W16 mannequin, whereas sustaining a nod to title sponsor Petronas with a inexperienced move line sweeping throughout the automotive. Maybe probably the most eye-catching change to the livery is the addition of black stripes to the higher sidepod.
Among the many sponsors featured on the livery had been tech big Microsoft, with whom Mercedes introduced a serious new deal forward of the reveal on Thursday morning, underlining the well being of each the crew and sport as an entire.
When is F1 pre-season testing?
The introduction of recent laws means there’s a sturdy schedule of three separate testing occasions earlier than the beginning of the 2026 season.
The primary is a behind-closed-doors occasion in Barcelona from January 26-30, earlier than two checks observe in Bahrain from February 11-13 and 18-20.
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Tune into the highlights of F1 testing on the Barcelona Shakedown, each evening from Monday twenty sixth to Friday, thirtieth January, stay on Sky Sports activities F1 YouTube at 7 pm and on the Sky Sports activities F1 channel from 9pm
When is the primary F1 race?
The groups then have two weeks to organize for the opening spherical of the season, which is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6-8.
The primary observe classes of the season will happen on Friday 6 March, with Qualifying on Saturday 7 March and the opening race on Sunday 8 March.
Watch all 24 race weekends from the 2026 Formulation 1 season stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
