Mercedes Launch W17 with New Livery

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has revealed the W17, their challenger for Formula 1's overhauled 2026 regulations.

The car features a new livery incorporating a sweeping PETRONAS green line across the bodywork, connecting the iconic silver front to the black rear section. The design includes an AMG-specific rhombus pattern on the sidepods.

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will continue as the driver pairing. The team conducted a shakedown at Silverstone on Wednesday before releasing the first images publicly.

Technical director James Allison confirmed the W17 is approximately 30kg lighter than its predecessor and features active aerodynamics on both front and rear wings. The power unit splits output evenly between combustion and electric systems under new regulations.

Toto Wolff addressed questions about the team's performance trajectory. Mercedes won seven races during the ground-effect era from 2022-2025 but fell short of championship contention. Wolff stated expectations are high for the new formula.

The W17 runs on sustainable fuels developed by PETRONAS. Barcelona shakedown begins Monday for the first five-day test session.

Key takeaways from the launch

Mercedes has leaned into an unmistakable visual identity while signaling a focus on efficiency. A 30kg weight drop and active aero highlight how aggressively the team is chasing the 2026 performance targets. Early testing will reveal whether the concept delivers more stable balance than the previous ground-effect era cars.

What to watch in testing

The W17's long-run pace and energy deployment strategies will be in focus, especially with the new 50/50 power split. Watch how the car manages traction out of slower corners, as that will indicate how effectively the hybrid system is being deployed.

Mercedes will also look for early signs of stability in crosswinds and high-speed transitions. Those were weak points in recent seasons, and any improvement there could reshape their weekend performance curve.

Sources

• Formula 1 - Mercedes team profile

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