Mercedes launches W17 car ahead of F1 2026 season
The Mercedes F1 team has unveiled the new W17 car for the F1 2026 season.
Formula 1’s regulations have been overhauled for the F1 2026 season as the sport embraces 50 per cent electrification, fully sustainable fuels and active aerodynamics.
Mercedes W17 launched ahead of F1 2026 season
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Having been restricted to just seven wins across the ground-effect era in place between 2022 and 2025, Mercedes has been tipped to re-emerge as a title-contending force in F1’s new era.
The Brackley-based outfit previously emerged as F1’s dominant force following the last major engine rule changes in 2014, winning a record eight consecutive constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ titles.
Mercedes revealed the W17 car, to be driven by George Russell and Kimi Antonelli in the F1 2026 season, on Thursday morning.
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, said: “Formula 1 will undergo significant change in 2026 and we are prepared for that transition.
“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.
“Releasing the first images of the W17 is simply the next step in that process.
“It represents the collective, sustained effort of our teams in Brixworth and Brackley. We will continue to push hard in the months ahead.”
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The official launch of the W17 comes after Mercedes announced a lucrative sponsorship deal with technology giant Microsoft on Thursday morning.
The deal is estimated to be worth $60million per season, making it the third-most lucrative commercial agreement on the F1 2026 grid behind Petronas’ title sponsorship of Mercedes ($75m annually) and Oracle’s title sponsorship of Red Bull Racing ($100m).
Microsoft logos will appear on the front wing and roll hoop of the W17 as well as the race suits of Russell and Antonelli.
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