Motorsports
It has been announced when the favorite of Formula 1 2026 will take to the track for the first time
The Mercedes team has confirmed that it will test its new W17 car, produced according to the 2026 Formula 1 rules, at Silverstone on Thursday.
On Thursday morning, Silver Arrows released digital images of the W17 car with which the team hopes to break the ongoing championship pause with victory in the 2021 Constructors’ Championship.
Despite this, the Mercedes works team is seen as one of the main favorites ahead of the biggest rule changes in Formula 1 history. An important role in this is played by the successful experience of the Mercedes engine department, which created the dominant hybrid powertrains in 2014.
The W17 will make its first laps on the track on Thursday, but it won’t be the first Mercedes-powered car to hit the track in 2026. The previous day, the German manufacturer’s new customer team Alpin was at Silverstone as part of the shooting day.
Thus, W17 will be the fifth car to hit the tracks of the 2026 season, after Audi in Barcelona, Racing Bulls in Imola and Cadillac and Alpin in Silverstone.
In the 2026 season, Mercedes will re-add George Russell and Kimi Antonelli to its squad, which will be its second full season in Formula 1.
Despite a difficult period during the ground effect period, Mercedes finished second in the Constructors’ Championship twice in 2023 and 2025.
Source: Sport UA
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