Mercedes W17 hits track for first time at Silverstone shakedown
Mercedes has debuted its 2026 W17 car at Silverstone with George Russell driving, marking the first shakedown for the works team ahead of the new technical regulations era.
Mercedes' 2026 W17 has completed its first shakedown at Silverstone with George Russell at the wheel. Just hours after its official unveiling, the Brackley-based squad utilized a promotional event day to run their new challenger on Pirelli's grooved 'demo' tyres, marking the first time the works team has tested its complete package.
Why it matters:
The 2026 season represents the most significant regulatory overhaul since 2014, with simultaneous changes to chassis and engine rules. After finishing second in the 2025 constructors' championship—beating Red Bull and Ferrari but falling short of McLaren—these early track miles are critical for validating the team's new direction and ensuring reliability before the intense winter testing schedule begins.
The details:
- Strategic Location: Mercedes chose Silverstone for the shakedown, leveraging the circuit's proximity to its chassis headquarters in Brackley and engine department in Brixworth.
- Promotional Event Rules: The team used one of its two allocated promotional days, which permits 200km of running. This allowed Russell to put the W17 through its paces without the pressure of official testing conditions.
- Grid Activity: Nearly half of the expanded 11-team grid has now shaken down their 2026 machinery. Audi, Cadillac, Racing Bulls, and Alpine have all hit the track. Notably, Alpine ran the Mercedes 2026 power unit yesterday, while today marked the debut of the full works package.
- Driver Line-up: Mercedes enters this new era with a stable driver lineup, retaining Russell alongside sophomore Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
What's next:
The full 2026 field will converge on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from January 26-30 for the first official pre-season test.
- Teams must select three days from the five-day window to run behind closed doors.
- Following the private Barcelona session, two additional tests will take place in Bahrain in February, open to the public and media, offering the first true look at the competitive order.