Mercedes have supplied a primary take a look at the W17, the 2026 challenger that many imagine will allow the Silver Arrows to return to the entrance of the grid.
The introduction of latest chassis and energy unit rules 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 gained 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 improvement 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 group in 2022 regardless of not having been supplied with a constantly quick automotive.
The 27-year-old is primed to mount his first title problem, as he kinds an unchanged driver line-up alongside Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli, who completed 2025 strongly after a regarding wobble through the center of his rookie marketing campaign.
Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff mentioned: “Formulation 1 will endure important change in 2026, and we’re ready for that transition. The brand new rules 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 brand new automotive, and the long-term improvement of the Energy Unit and superior sustainable fuels with Petronas, displays that method.
“Releasing the primary photographs of the W17 is just the subsequent step in that course of. It represents the collective, sustained effort of our groups in Brixworth and Brackley. We are going to proceed to push laborious within the months forward.”
The group 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 stream 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 significant new deal forward of the reveal on Thursday morning, underlining the well being of each the group and sport as a complete.
When is F1 pre-season testing?
The introduction of latest rules means there’s a strong 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 exams comply with in Bahrain from February 11-13 and 18-20.
Tune into the highlights of F1 testing on the Barcelona Shakedown, each night time 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 arrange for the opening spherical of the season, which is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6-8.
The primary apply 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 with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
