Mercedes shakes down W17 with wet first step at Silverstone

©Mercedes

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Mercedes wasted no time turning pages into lap times as the W17 Silver Arrow made its first tentative steps into Formula 1’s new era on a rain-soaked Silverstone circuit on Thursday afternoon.

Just hours after the wraps came off the 2026 challenger, George Russell climbed aboard and headed out onto the Northamptonshire track, gingerly feeling his way through the conditions on Pirelli’s grooved demo tyres.

Spray hung in the air, but the mood was unmistakably purposeful: this was the first real heartbeat of Mercedes’ next-generation machine.

First Laps of a New Era

Although Alpine had already fired up Mercedes’ all-new 2026 V6 hybrid power unit at Silverstone on Wednesday, today’s shakedown marked the first time the works team ran its full package – chassis and engine together – under its own banner.

The outing used the first of Mercedes’ two permitted promotional filming days, each capped at 200 kilometres, allowing engineers and Russell and Kimi Antonelli to begin validating systems ahead of the intensive testing programme to come.

Silverstone remains a natural proving ground for the team, sitting just a stone’s throw from its Brackley chassis base and Brixworth power unit facility.

Mercedes’ run means nearly half of the expanded 11-team grid has now completed early shakedowns of their 2026 cars. Audi led the charge following its takeover of Sauber, with Cadillac, Racing Bulls and Alpine also ticking off valuable first mileage.

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New era, new look: Mercedes unveils W17 with refreshed livery

Attention now turns to Barcelona, where the entire field will gather from 26–30 January for the first official pre-season test behind closed doors. Two further tests in Bahrain will follow in February, open to fans and media alike.

With the biggest combined chassis and engine overhaul since 2014, Mercedes’ wet Silverstone debut was just the beginning – but every new era has to start somewhere.

©Mercedes

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.