Mercedes has presented the first images of the W17, its new car for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The team heads into the new season hoping F1’s drastic change in technical regulations will help them regain the form they enjoyed prior to the last major rules change in 2022.
Mercedes won eight consecutive constructors’ championships over the preceding seasons. The power units also took McLaren to the last two constructors’ titles. They have therefore been widely tipped to master the new engine rules more quickly than other teams.
“Formula 1 will undergo significant change in 2026 and we are prepared for that transition,” said team principal and CEO Toto 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.”
Mercedes has also revealed a major new sponsorship deal with technology giant Microsoft, whose logos appear on the W17’s roll hoop air intake and front wing end plates.
For the second year in a row the team’s driver line-up comprises George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Russell, who won the Canadian and Singapore grands prix last year on his way to fourth place in the championship, is heading into his fifth season at the team.
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However Mercedes heads into the new season without its former director of car design, John Owen, whose departure was confirmed this week. Owen had been with the team since its 2009 constructors’ championship victory as Brawn. Mercedes confirmed Giacomo Tortora, previously its engineering director, has taken over as director of car design.
The team is due to reveal more information about its preparation for the new season when it holds an official launch event on February 2nd, following the first pre-season test at the Circuit de Catalunya next week. Teams will be allowed to run on up to three days of the five-day test which takes place at the home of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Pictures: Mercedes W17 on-track
Video: Mercedes W17 on-track
Rolling out for our first laps of F1 2026 😤 pic.twitter.com/V2hvUTv3Gx
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) January 22, 2026
Mercedes W17 renders
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