Mercedes W17 First Look: 2026 F1 Car Revealed With Updated Livery Design

Mercedes‑AMG Petronas Formula One Team has officially revealed the first images of its 2026 Formula 1 challenger, the W17. The unveiling offers an early look at the team’s new livery design ahead of the 2026 season, which will mark the start of Formula 1’s next technical regulation cycle. The images confirm the car’s visual direction and branding approach for the new era. The W17 represents the team’s first clean-sheet design developed specifically for the 2026 rules, which introduce major changes to aerodynamics, power units and overall car architecture.

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New Livery And Visual Changes

The W17 continues Mercedes’ established colour palette but introduces noticeable revisions to the livery layout. Black

remains a dominant shade, combined with silver accents and turquoise Petronas highlights. The placement of sponsor logos has been reworked, with cleaner separation between colour blocks compared to the outgoing car. The nose, sidepods and engine cover feature sharper graphic lines, reflecting a more streamlined visual identity. Mercedes has confirmed that the livery shown in the images is the race design for the 2026 season, rather than a temporary launch scheme.

Design Direction Under 2026 Regulations

The W17’s silhouette reflects the broader changes mandated by Formula 1’s 2026 technical regulations. These include revised bodywork dimensions, updated floor regulations and a new approach to airflow management. The car has been developed alongside the new power unit rules, which place a greater emphasis on electrical output and sustainable fuels. Mercedes has stated that the W17 is the result of extensive simulation and early testing work focused on adapting to the significantly altered rulebook.

Power Unit And Development Focus

The W17 is powered by Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains’ newly developed hybrid power unit designed for the 2026 regulations. It delivers an almost equal split between combustion and electric output, eliminates the MGU-H, and increases MGU-K output from 161 hp to 469 hp with revised energy recovery and deployment systems. The power unit runs on PETRONAS-developed sustainable fuel, formulated as a drop-in solution to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions while meeting Formula 1’s long-term sustainability targets.

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What Comes Next

The release of the first images marks the start of Mercedes’ public build-up to the 2026 season. On-track testing and additional updates will provide a clearer picture of the W17’s performance potential. For now, the focus remains on visual identity and regulatory compliance as Formula 1 prepares for one of its biggest technical resets in recent years.