Mercedes Reveal First Look Of The W17: Their 2026 F1 Challenger

Last Updated:January 22, 2026, 15:26 IST

Mercedes unveil the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE for 2026, featuring new tech and bold livery.

Mercedes reveals their new W17, built for the 2026 F1 season (Mercedes AMG F1 Media)

Mercedes have officially turned the page.

The Silver Arrows have revealed the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE, their 2026 challenger — and it’s much more than just a new car. It’s a full reset.

After ruling Formula 1 for eight straight constructors’ titles between 2014 and 2021, Mercedes were knocked off their perch by the ground-effect era. From 2022 to 2025, they chased answers, flashes of pace, and consistency, but never another championship.

Now, with the sport’s biggest technical overhaul ever arriving in 2026, Mercedes sees a clean slate.

And they’re attacking it head-on.

A radically new machine

The W17 is built for F1’s all-new ruleset: new chassis, new power units, and new fuels. The car is smaller, narrower, and lighter, with active aerodynamics featuring moveable front and rear wings. Under the skin, the power unit delivers an almost 50/50 split between electric and combustion energy, running on advanced sustainable fuels.

A bold new look

The livery makes that message loud and clear. A sweeping PETRONAS green flow line cuts through the car, blending Mercedes’ iconic silver into deep black. AMG-inspired rhombus patterns sit atop the sidepods, while the three-pointed star remains stamped proudly on the engine cover. It’s sleek, aggressive, and unmistakably modern Mercedes.

Life after Hamilton

2026 also marks a new era in the cockpit. Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 ended one of the most successful driver-team partnerships in F1 history. In his place: Kimi Antonelli, the teenage prodigy stepping up alongside George Russell.

Russell enters the season as the clear leader — a five-time race winner with over 1,000 career points — while Antonelli represents Mercedes’ long-term future after a solid rookie campaign.

Momentum heading into 2026

Mercedes didn’t conquer the ground-effect era, but they finished it stronger. After fourth in 2024, Russell and Antonelli lifted the team back to second in the constructors’ standings in 2025, behind McLaren but ahead of Ferrari and Red Bull.

Now comes the real test.

With a fresh ruleset, a new driver pairing, and a car built from the ground up, the W17 is Mercedes’ clearest shot yet at reclaiming F1’s summit.

News sports formula-one Mercedes Reveal First Look Of The W17: Their 2026 F1 Challenger

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