Today, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has revealed a first look at its 2026 car, the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E Performance. Much has been said about Mercedes being the most dominant team heading into this year's Formula 1 season, with reports swirling that they've cracked the code and built a vastly superior engine.
With that in mind, we could be looking at a legitimate Championship contender here.
The W17's livery is easily identifiable as a Mercedes F1 car, featuring the iconic silver colour scheme with deep black accents and a hint of green. It's certainly eye-catching, but as with every car lining up on the grid this March in Australia, the engine is what really matters.
For the 2026 season, Formula 1 is undergoing the most significant technical overhaul in its history, introducing completely new regulations for the chassis, Power Unit, and fuel.
As a result, the W17 is smaller, narrower, and lighter than its predecessor. The car features active aerodynamics with movable front and rear wings, a power unit that delivers approximately a 50/50 split between electric and combustion power, and runs on advanced sustainable fuels developed by the team’s Title and Technical Partner, PETRONAS.
Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO, said today, "Formula One 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," he continued. "It represents the collective, sustained effort of our teams in Brixworth and Brackley. We will continue to push hard in the months ahead."
Take a closer look at Mercedes' W17 in the Instagram posts below.