Mercedes releases first images of W17 before 2026 car’s track debut

Mercedes has become the fourth team to reveal its 2026 car, with images of the W17 released ahead of the car running for the first time at Silverstone.

Following the Red Bull, Racing Bulls and Haas launches over the past week, Mercedes published images of the W17 before a shakedown at the home of the British Grand Prix. Multiple teams have been using Silverstone for a first run with the 2026 car, with Alpine having done so on Wednesday ahead of unveiling its new car in Barcelona on Friday.

Although the initial images released are often far removed from the actual cars that hit the track in Australia for the opening round of the season, the Mercedes design details show narrow sidepod intakes and an undercut sidepod as part of a sculpted engine cover. While the team released multiple images of the W17, it appears keen to keep details of the diffuser and rear of the car under wraps.

The 2026 car features an updated livery, with the mix of silver and black – the main two colors used by the team in recent seasons – added to on the top of the sidepods by what the team describes as “the AMG-specific inspired rhombus signature.” It also retains accents of green for title partner Petronas.

“Formula 1 will undergo significant change in 2026, and we are prepared for that transition,” team principal and CEO 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.”

Mercedes is looking to return to title contention in 2026 having last won a constructors’ championship in 2021 and a drivers’ title a year prior to that, scoring a total of seven wins across the past four seasons during the ground effect era.