Overview
- Mercedes will publish initial renderings of the W17 on January 22 via its social media channels.
- A livestreamed season launch on February 2 will feature Toto Wolff, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
- Preseason testing runs January 26–30 in Barcelona, followed by Bahrain sessions on February 11–13 and February 18–20.
- For 2026, power units retain the 1.6‑liter V6 turbo with roughly 50% electric output and the MGU‑H removed.
- DRS is replaced by an “Overtake” mode usable when within one second at a single detection point per lap, as qualifying shifts to drop six cars in Q1 and Q2 with ten advancing to Q3.