Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Unveils W17 F1 Car Ahead of Groundbreaking 2026 Formula One Season

Brackley, UK | January 22: The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team has revealed the first official images of its 2026 challenger, the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE, marking a major milestone in the team’s preparations for Formula One’s next-generation era.

The W17 represents Mercedes’ response to the most significant technical overhaul in Formula One history, with the 2026 season introducing all-new regulations governing chassis design, power units and sustainable fuels. Designed from a clean sheet, the W17 is smaller, narrower and lighter than its predecessor, reflecting the sport’s shift toward increased efficiency and performance.

A defining feature of the new Mercedes F1 car is the introduction of active aerodynamics, including moveable front and rear wings aimed at improving racing dynamics and energy efficiency. Under the bodywork, the next-generation power unit delivers close to a 50:50 split between electric and internal combustion power, underlining Formula One’s push towards electrification. The car will also run on advanced sustainable fuels developed in collaboration with Title and Technical Partner PETRONAS.

Visually, the W17 debuts a striking new livery that signals both evolution and identity. A flowing PETRONAS green line sweeps low across the car, accentuating speed and precision while blending the iconic Mercedes silver into the team’s signature deep black. AMG-inspired rhombus detailing features prominently on the upper sidepods, complementing the three-pointed star motif on the engine cover.

Commenting on the unveiling, Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, highlighted the scale of the challenge ahead.
“Formula One will undergo significant change in 2026, and we are prepared for that transition,” said Wolff. “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 with PETRONAS, reflects that approach.”

He added: “Releasing the first images of the W17 is simply the next step in that process. It represents the collective, sustained effort of our teams in Brixworth and Brackley, and we will continue to push hard in the months ahead.”

As the countdown to the 2026 Formula One season continues, the unveiling of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE offers an early glimpse into how one of the sport’s most successful teams is preparing for a new era defined by innovation, sustainability and cutting-edge engineering.