The new Mercedes is due to run on track at Silverstone on Thursday
The new Mercedes is due to run on track at Silverstone on Thursday
The new Mercedes is due to run on track at Silverstone on Thursday
1 of 3
Mercedes have revealed the car they hope will return them to the front of Formula 1 in the sport's new rules era.
They became the most dominant team in history during the period 2014-21, with eight consecutive constructors' titles and seven drivers' championships in a row.
But they fell from their pedestal during the last rules set from 2022-25 and hope this year's reset will favour them.
The team start the year regarded by many as favourites as new chassis and engine rules are introduced. Their drivers remain Briton George Russell, who finished fourth last season and was the only driver outside the title-contending McLaren and Red Bull teams to win a race, and Italian Kimi Antonelli.
Rivals fear Mercedes, along with Red Bull's new powertrains department, have found a loophole in the rules that allows them to run the engine at a higher compression ratio than defined in the rules.
Work for 2026 season 'unprecedented' for McLaren
Owen to leave role as Mercedes chief designer
This is set at 16:1 but rules stipulate it will be measured at ambient temperature. A meeting between the teams and governing body the FIA on Thursday will discuss concerns that Mercedes and Red Bull have found ways for the compression ratio to increase at higher temperatures, which would increase power output.
Red Bull engine boss Ben Hodgkinson said last week: "Any engineer that doesn't understand about thermal expansion doesn't belong in this sport, doesn't deserves to be an engineer, really. Understanding how materials behave in different temperatures, pressures, stresses, loads, that's literally our job."
The new Mercedes W17 has been designed to optimise what is widely regarded as the biggest regulation change in history, with new cars, engines, and tyres and the mandating of fully sustainable fuel.
Digital images of the car were released on Thursday before it is due to run on track for the first time at Silverstone later in the day.
Along with the other 10 teams, Mercedes are then heading to the first pre-season test, which is being held behind closed doors with no independent media allowed at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next week. Teams are allowed to run on a maximum of three of the five days of the test.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: "Formula 1 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, reflects that approach."
Active aero and overtake mode – F1's new terminology
Biggest rule change ever and Brit teen – what's new in F1 in 2026?
Why is F1 testing so early this year?
Back At Base S3: 1. All at Risk
Comments can not be loaded
To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser
Sri Lanka spinners suffocate England to close on victory
Frank news conference: Tottenham manager speaking on Bergvall and pressure
'Ridiculous amount of games' – has Haaland played too much football?
As numbers dwindle, tension rises at the Round Table
The psychology behind avoidant attachment
Can Lucy Worsley unmask a forgotten Victorian serial killer?
Comedians decode baffling TV ads and sounds
Six English clubs and old foes – all to play for on Champions League final day
'Ridiculous amount of games' – has Haaland played too much football?
Eat & Yap – Arsenal striker Smith answers quickfire questions Video
Players at 'high risk' as tennis chases sun
A changing man, or change the man – McCullum's reckoning
What does the future hold for LIV Golf after Koepka exit?
England fans have 'every right to be annoyed, I made terrible mistake' – Brook
'I'm a scary sight' – Northampton's 23-stone, one-meal man
Raducanu's 'most dispiriting' Slam display – what went wrong?
Which countries are set to win extra Champions League places?
NFL play-offs – how final four can make it to Super Bowl
Jellyfish-inspired outfit steals show in Osaka win
The day I discovered the Everton contract Revie never signed
Is a Panenka ever the right choice for a penalty?
Who will win title race between Hearts, Celtic & Rangers?
Results, fans, fall-outs – factors that lead to managerial pressure
'Shameful' and 'terrible look' – the chaos that marred Senegal's Afcon triumph
Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Related Article
