Mercedes has revealed the W17, the car it hopes will return the team to dominance under Formula 1’s radical new 2026 regulations.
The reveal comes as the sport enters its most significant era of change, featuring redesigned chassis, new power units, and 100% sustainable fuel.
While Mercedes enters the year as a title favorite with drivers George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli, the launch is already shadowed by technical friction.
Rivals have flagged concerns to the FIA regarding a potential loophole involving engine compression ratios.
Competitors suspect Mercedes and Red Bull may have found a way to increase power output by exploiting thermal expansion—a claim Red Bull’s engine department defended as “basic engineering.”
Teams head to Barcelona next week for a five-day, closed-door pre-season test.
After trailing Red Bull and McLaren from 2022–2025, Team Principal Toto Wolff says the “unprecedented” 2026 reset is the team’s best chance to reclaim the front of the grid.
