Mercedes have revealed the first images of their 2026 race car, which features a revised livery in their iconic silver and black colours.
The W17 meets Formula 1’s new technical regulations on the chassis and engine sides, featuring active aerodynamics and a near-50:50 split between internal combustion and electric energy.
The new Mercedes has a mostly unchanged black and silver design, with turquoise accents to reflect the everlasting sponsor Petronas.
A notable addition to the livery is the Microsoft logo on the airbox and the front wing endplates, with Mercedes snapping up Alpine’s longtime partner.
“Formula 1 will undergo significant change in 2026, and we are prepared for that transition,” team principal Toto Wolff said. “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.”
Like its predecessor, the new Silver Arrow will be raced by George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who finished fourth and seventh respectively in last season’s drivers’ championship.
Mercedes took the runner-up spot in the constructors’ standings, narrowly holding off rival Red Bull Racing, but was never a real title contender against a dominant McLaren.
The W17 will take to the track at the first pre-season test at Barcelona from 26-30 January, ahead of the team’s season launch event on 2 February.
Do like the stripes at the back of the car. Very nice detail. Reflecting the Adidas branding, which is one of the team’s major sponsor.
Will be be fascinating if the W17 is the car to beat this season as early rumours that the Mercedes power unit is the new benchmark in this new rules changes for the upcoming season.
Social media:
https://x.com/MercedesAMGF1/status/2014261788930416710
https://x.com/F1/status/2014261996573610054
Official website:
https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/news/mercedes-amg-f1-2026-challenger-w17-revealed
https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/news/mercedes-amg-f1-and-microsoft-unite-to-drive-innovation-from-factory-to-circuit
News stories:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/first-look-mercedes-reveal-first-images-of-the-w17-with-new-livery-design.3PiP6vnYUBcKolJt2v2CNI
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/gallery-check-out-every-angle-of-mercedes-new-livery-for-2026.70sm6Znl139u64MesOt5Vf
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mercedes-reveals-its-2026-f1-design/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/crkrrxkx205o
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12040/13497328/mercedes-w17-reveal-silver-arrows-reveal-2026-f1-challenger-expected-to-challenge-for-titles-in-sports-new-era
Mercedes has signed a multi-year deal with technology conglomerate Microsoft, starting from the 2026 season.
Microsoft was a long-time partner of the rival Alpine squad, which it first sponsored in 2012 when the outfit was named Lotus, but has now switched allegiances as its Alpine deal ended following the 2025 campaign.
The Microsoft logo will be displayed on the airbox and the front wing endplates of the newly revealed W17 F1 car, as well as the drivers’ overalls, but the partnership will have a technical scope as well.
“Microsoft Azure and its AI capabilities will expand the team’s existing high-performance computing and data capabilities, both at the factory and trackside, with scalable cloud and AI resources supporting simulation workloads, performance analysis, race strategy modelling and cross-team analytics,” Mercedes’ press release reads. “The flexibility and agility of this platform will help ensure engineers and strategists have real-time insights available at the moments that matter most.”
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/microsoft-switches-f1-sponsorship-from-alpine-to-mercedes/10791877/