Mercedes has conducted the first track test of its 2026 Formula 1 car, the W17, at Silverstone just hours after its unveiling. Drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli completed 67 laps on demo tyres, maximising the allowed 200km for the promotional day. The run marks a key step in preparations for the new technical regulations.
Mercedes' Brackley-based team unveiled digital renders of the W17 on Thursday morning before heading to the nearby Silverstone circuit for its inaugural shakedown. George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli took turns piloting the car on Pirelli's grooved demo tyres, covering the 2.9km International layout 67 times—nearly the full 200km allocation for such events. This was the first occasion the works team integrated its complete 2026 package, including the new V6 hybrid engine, following Alpine's engine debut at the same venue the previous day.
Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes' trackside engineering director, described the session positively: "We have had a sensible first day of running with the W17 at Silverstone. As with any shakedown, the focus is on ensuring everything operates safely and reliably. We were able to get through our allotted mileage, with both George and Kimi getting to experience the 2026 car on track for the first time. That is testament to the hard work of everyone at Brackley and Brixworth. Our attention now turns to Barcelona where we will look to build on today’s running and add to our understanding of the W17."
The test utilised one of two annual promotional days permitted by the FIA, reflecting the scale of the 2026 regulation changes—the first simultaneous overhaul of chassis and power unit rules since 2014. Extra testing time has been allocated accordingly. By this point, nearly half of the expanded 11-team grid had conducted similar shakedowns: Audi led off after acquiring Sauber, followed by Cadillac, Racing Bulls, and Alpine. Mercedes, which finished second in the 2025 constructors' standings behind McLaren but ahead of Red Bull and Ferrari, enters the year with Russell as team leader and Antonelli as his sophomore partner.
Upcoming sessions include a private test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from January 26-30, where teams select three days for closed-door running, and two public tests in Bahrain during February. These steps underscore Mercedes' position as an early favourite, buoyed by strong engine development amid rival concerns over its interpretation of new compression ratios.
