Mercedes has released the first images of the new W17 at the circuit. On Friday morning the team unveiled the 2026 F1 car’s livery, immediately followed by an initial shakedown on a wet Silverstone. During a film day George Russell and Kimi Antonelli swapped stints behind the wheel and completed a total of 67 laps, covering nearly 200 kilometres. The team is already gearing up for the first private tests in Barcelona.
“We had a good first test day,” replied Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ technical director. “As with every test day the focus was on ensuring the safety and reliability of all components. We were able to complete our assigned kilometres, with both George (Russell, ed.) and Kimi (Antonelli, ed.) getting to experience the 2026 car on track for the first time. That is proof of the hard work of everyone in Brackley and Brixworth. Our attention now turns to Barcelona, where we want to build on this test day and further increase our knowledge of the W17.”
‘W17 Sounds Incredible’
The drivers were equally upbeat after their first run with the new car. George Russell was visibly impressed. “It’s fantastic to see the new car on track,” he said via social media. “It really sounds incredible, very different from what I expected. It’s also special to get behind the wheel for the first time; this engine and powertrain have been in development for so long. I can’t wait to put my foot down.” Kimi Antonelli also looked back on the filming day with a smile. “It was a good first day, I’m very happy,” he added. “This was just the beginning. I’m really looking forward to the tests and, of course, the start of the new season.”
The first metres of the W17 have come with a measure of controversy. Rivals claim Mercedes has found a loophole in the new regulations that allows the engine to run at a higher compression ratio than permitted. That could give the German outfit — and its customer teams — a potential advantage at the outset of the new F1 era. Mercedes is, after Audi, Cadillac, Racing Bulls and Alpine, the fifth team to actually put its 2026 car on track. The next challenge comes in Spain, where from 26 to 30 January the collective shakedown of Formula 1 takes place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
