Mercedes has revealed the first images of its W17 car for the 2026 Formula 1 season, featuring a black and silver design with new stripes that have elicited mixed reactions from fans. The livery includes turquoise accents from sponsor Petronas and a new Microsoft logo, marking a partnership shift from Alpine. Team principal Toto Wolff emphasized the car's alignment with upcoming regulations emphasizing innovation and sustainability.
On January 22, Mercedes Formula 1 unveiled the livery for its W17 challenger, set to compete under the sport's revamped 2026 technical rules. The design retains the team's iconic black and silver scheme, accented by Petronas turquoise, but introduces striped details on the sidepods—a feature some fans liken to adidas branding, given the company's partnership with the Brackley-based squad.
The W17 complies with new chassis and power unit regulations, including active aerodynamics and a near 50:50 split between combustion and electric energy, making the car smaller, narrower, and lighter than its predecessors. A key addition is the Microsoft logo on the airbox, front wing, and endplates, following Mercedes' acquisition of the tech giant as a partner from Alpine.
Fan responses on platforms like Reddit have been varied. "Looks sleek, and the nose on this generation of cars looks so much better as well," one enthusiast noted, while another praised, "I kinda like how the silver nose and black sides really emphasizes the 'Silver Arrows' nickname." Critics, however, were less enthusiastic: "The Microsoft logo and weird stripes ruin it for me. It’s HP 2025 all over again," one commenter wrote, referencing a past sponsorship.
Toto Wolff, team principal, highlighted the significance: “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 with Petronas, reflects that approach.”
The car will be driven by George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who placed fourth and seventh in the 2025 drivers' championship, respectively. Mercedes finished second in the constructors' standings last year, behind McLaren but ahead of Red Bull.
Upcoming milestones include a pre-season shakedown at Barcelona from January 26-30, an official launch on February 2 featuring the drivers and senior staff, and the season opener at the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8.
