MEET THE MERCEDES-AMG F1 W17 - BUILT FOR FORMULA 1'S NEW ERA, FORGED IN SILVER, BLACK AND GREEN
2026 is set to deliver the biggest technical reset that Formula One has ever seen, with all-new chassis, power units and fuel regulations rewriting the rulebook in one clean sweep. Enter the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE, the Silver Arrows’ first response to F1’s brave new world. Smaller, narrower and lighter than its predecessor, the W17 is a sharp-edged glimpse of what the future looks like when innovation is non-negotiable. It’s a clean-sheet car built around active aerodynamics, featuring moveable front and rear wings, and a revolutionary power unit delivering close to a 50/50 split between electric and combustion power. All of it runs on advanced sustainable fuels, developed alongside Mercedes’ Title and Technical Partner, PETRONAS.
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team unveiled a striking new livery that signals both continuity and change. A dynamic PETRONAS green flow line sweeps low across the car, visually emphasising speed and precision while guiding the eye from iconic Mercedes silver into the team’s deep, purposeful black. The upper sidepods feature an AMG-inspired rhombus signature, while the engine cover carries the familiar three-pointed star pattern, anchoring the design firmly in Mercedes heritage.
For Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff, the W17 represents years of preparation meeting a moment of transformation. “Formula One will undergo significant change in 2026, and we are prepared for that transition,” said Wolff. “The new regulations demand innovation and absolute focus across every area of performance. Our work on the new car, and the long-term development of the Power Unit and advanced sustainable fuels with PETRONAS, reflects that approach.”
The W17’s first real taste of life came at the Barcelona Shakedown, which began on 26 January at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. With teams limited to just three of the five available days, Mercedes opted to run immediately. Teenage prodigy Kimi Antonelli took the wheel in the morning session, becoming the first car out on a damp track as the pit lane opened. After initially running on Intermediate tyres, he moved through C3 Softs and C1 Hards, completing 56 laps before lunch. The afternoon belonged to George Russell, who added 95 laps, taking the team’s total to 151 laps and just over 700 km on day one alone.
Antonelli was upbeat after his first proper day in the W17. “It was nice to be back in the car this morning and, more importantly, we’ve had a productive first day here in Barcelona. There is lots for us to learn with these new machines, so it’s important we complete as much mileage as possible. The team at Brackley and Brixworth have done a great job to get us to this position. Completing over 150 laps on the first proper day of running is a great achievement. It’s early days, but the package overall feels good.”
Russell echoed the optimism, while also highlighting just how different these new-generation cars feel. “It’s great to be back out on track driving an F1 car once again. The cars looked really cool out on the circuit, and that’s positive for our sport. They are quite different for us as drivers, but once you get your head around it, driving them is quite intuitive. It’s enjoyable, and I think there’s a lot for fans to look forward to. It’s not quite how it was in 2014. The sport has evolved so much since then, and the level in every single aspect is incredibly high now.”
Take a look at the YouTube short showing that Gerorge chap kicking down in the all-new 2026 F1 car from the Mercedes-AMG Petrona F1 team: No music. Just the W17 | @MercedesAMGF1
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