Mercedes W17

Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E Performance

Category	Formula One
Designers	James Allison (Technical Director) Simone Resta (Deputy Technical Director) John Owen (Car Design Director) Jarrod Murphy (Aerodynamics Director) David Nelson (Performance Director) Giacomo Tortora (Engineering Director) Ashley Way (Chief Engineer - Car Design) Hywel Thomas (Managing Director - Power Unit) Lorenzo Sassi (Engineering Director - Power Unit)
Predecessor	Mercedes W16
Technical specifications
Suspension (front)	Carbon fibre wishbone and pushrod-activated springs and dampers
Suspension (rear)	Carbon fibre wishbone and pushrod-activated springs and dampers
Width	1,900 mm (75 in)
Height	950 mm (37.4 in)
Wheelbase	3,400 mm (133.9 in)
Engine	Mercedes-AMG
Transmission	Mercedes 8-speed hydraulic actuated semi automatic sequential gearbox, + 1 reverse gear
Weight	770 kg (including driver, coolant and oil)
Fuel	Petronas Primax
Lubricants	Petronas Tutela
Tyres	Pirelli P Zero (Dry/Slick) Pirelli Cinturato (Wet/Treaded)
Competition history
Notable entrants	Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
Notable drivers	12. Kimi Antonelli 63. George Russell
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 0 0 0 0 0

The Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E Performance, commonly known as the Mercedes W17, ^[1] is a Formula One racing car designed and built by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team to compete in the 2026 Formula One World Championship. It will be driven by George Russell and Kimi Antonelli in their fifth and second seasons with the team, respectively.

Development and Design

James Allison, Technical Director, ^[2] oversaw the development of the W17. The W17 is significantly lighter, narrower, and smaller than the 2025 W16 because of the 2026 "nimble car" concept. ^[3]

• Chassis: The vehicle has a narrower width (1,900 mm) and a shorter wheelbase (3,400 mm). ^[4] The weight requirement has been lowered to 770 kg. ^[5]
• Active Aerodynamics: The W17 uses movable front and rear wings ^[6] to achieve "X-mode" (high downforce for corners) ^[7] and "Z-mode" (low drag for straights). ^[8]
• Suspension: In order to maximize weight savings and mechanical simplicity, Mercedes maintained a pushrod front suspension ^[9] layout despite a trend toward pullrod systems. ^[10]

Power Unit and Fuel

The Mercedes-AMG HPP 2026 power unit powers the W17. ^[11]

Power Split: The 1.6-liter V6 ^[12] internal combustion engine (ICE) and the battery-powered electric motor (MGU-K), ^[13] which now generates 350kW ^[14] (up from 120kW), have a nearly 50/50 power split ^[15] thanks to the removal of the MGU-H. ^[16]

Sustainable Fuel: The vehicle is powered entirely by cutting-edge sustainable fuels ^[17] thanks to a collaboration with PETRONAS. ^[18]

Compression Controversy: Although the FIA has now approved the design, there were rumors in early 2026 that Mercedes (and Red Bull) ^[19] had discovered a possible "loophole" ^[20] in engine compression ratios ^[21] measured at room temperature.

Livery

The livery, ^[22] which debuted on January 22, 2026, ^[23] has a striking transition into deep black and a "Silver Arrow" ^[24] return.

• Microsoft Partnership: A significant new sponsorship with Microsoft ^[25] resulted in the airbox's ^[26] branding taking the place of some conventional silver components.
• AMG Heritage: In homage to the Mercedes-AMG ONE ^[27] hypercar, the sidepods ^[28] have a "zebra stripe" pattern ^[29] that creates a stylized AMG logo. ^[30]

References

1. Mee, Lydia (5 January 2026). "Mercedes announces W17 livery reveal date and 2026 F1 season launch event". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
2. "Have Mercedes pioneered a left-field solution with the W17?". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
3. "FIA unveils the new F1 terminology you need to know for the 2026 season". www.motorsport.com. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
4. [e-mail] (2026-01-26). "Formula 1's Biggest Regulation Overhaul in 2026". Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
5. "FIA unveils the new F1 terminology you need to know for the 2026 season". www.motorsport.com. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
6. Scarborough, Craig (2026-01-21). "F1 2026 aero regulations in focus part 2 – Sidepods, diffuser and rear wing". Motorsport Technology. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
7. "All you need to know about F1's new power units". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
8. Scarborough, Craig (2026-01-21). "F1 2026 aero regulations in focus part 2 – Sidepods, diffuser and rear wing". Motorsport Technology. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
9. "Have Mercedes pioneered a left-field solution with the W17?". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
10. Scarborough, Craig (2026-01-21). "F1 2026 aero regulations in focus part 2 – Sidepods, diffuser and rear wing". Motorsport Technology. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
11. "Facts and Stats: Power Unit Regulation Changes". Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
12. "F1 2026 Power Units: Hybrid Split and Sustainable Fuel". Top Racing Shop. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
13. [e-mail] (2026-01-26). "Formula 1's Biggest Regulation Overhaul in 2026". Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
14. "Facts and Stats: Power Unit Regulation Changes". Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
15. "F1 2026 Power Units: Hybrid Split and Sustainable Fuel". Top Racing Shop. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
16. [e-mail] (2026-01-26). "Formula 1's Biggest Regulation Overhaul in 2026". Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
17. "Facts and Stats: Power Unit Regulation Changes". Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
18. "Facts and Stats: Power Unit Regulation Changes". Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
19. "FIA keen to "resolve" engine loophole controversy before F1 2026 start". www.motorsport.com. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
20. "FIA keen to "resolve" engine loophole controversy before F1 2026 start". www.motorsport.com. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
21. "Audi issue fresh FIA plea over alleged engine trick". RacingNews365. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
22. "Mercedes reveals new-look F1 car for 2026". www.motorsport.com. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
23. "Mercedes run new car at Silverstone, announce Microsoft deal". RNZ. 2026-01-23. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
24. "Mercedes reveals new-look F1 car for 2026". www.motorsport.com. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
25. "Microsoft switches F1 sponsorship from Alpine to Mercedes". www.motorsport.com. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
26. "Mercedes run new car at Silverstone, announce Microsoft deal". RNZ. 2026-01-23. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
27. "Mercedes AMG".
28. "Have Mercedes pioneered a left-field solution with the W17?". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
29. "Mercedes reveals new-look F1 car for 2026". www.motorsport.com. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
30. "Mercedes-AMG ONE | Future Vehicles". www.mbusa.com. Retrieved 2026-01-27.

External links

• Formula One portal