Mercedes has supplied the primary photos of its 2026 F1 automobile on observe.
The Brackley-based F1 crew unveiled the design and livery of its long-awaited W17 challenger on Friday morning, forward of its first shakedown run at a sodden Silverstone.
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli took turns behind the wheel as a part of the filming day, logging 67 laps and a distance of round 200km.
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin mentioned: “We had a terrific first day operating with the W17 at Silverstone.”
“As with every shakedown, the main target is on guaranteeing every little thing is working safely and reliably. Each George and Kimi have been capable of full their allotted mileage by experiencing the 2026 automobile on observe for the primary time.”
“That is testomony to the onerous work of everybody at Brackley and Brixworth. Our consideration now turns to Barcelona, the place we hope to construct on at the moment’s run and deepen our understanding of the W17.”
Antonelli additionally drove Mercedes’ new F1 automobile
Mercedes will change into the fifth F1 crew to run a 2026 automobile on observe, following Audi, Cadillac, Racing Bulls and Alpine.
Mercedes is at the moment heading to Spain for F1’s mass shakedown, which can happen on the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit from January twenty sixth to thirtieth.
It’s going to then maintain a public season opening occasion on February 2nd, earlier than two official pre-season exams in Bahrain forward of the Australian Grand Prix on March eighth.
Mercedes completed 2025 in second place within the constructors’ championship behind world champion McLaren.
Mercedes is believed to have found a loophole within the rules that permits it to run its engines at larger compression ratios than allowed.
Rivals concern this might give Mercedes and its buyer groups a key benefit initially of a brand new period in F1.
