Mercedes shakes down 2026 F1 car at Silverstone after launch

Russell samples the W17 at Silverstone as Mercedes enters F1's new era

Mercedes’ 2026 Formula 1 car has hit the track for the first time as the Brackley-based squad ramps up preparations for the series’ new technical era.

Just hours after the official unveiling of the car on Thursday, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli put the W17 through its paces at Silverstone, running Pirelli’s grooved ‘demo’ tyres.

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While Mercedes’ new customer Alpine had already debuted the marque’s 2026 V6 hybrid engine at the same venue yesterday, this shakedown marked the first time the works team tested its complete package together.

The German manufacturer utilised the first of its allocation of two annual promotional event days, which grants teams 200km of running on each day, completing 67 laps of Silverstone's 2.9km International track layout.

Mercedes has a long history of hosting filming days at the British Grand Prix venue, as the circuit sits next door to its chassis headquarters in Brackley and its engine department in Brixworth.

"We have had a sensible first day of running with the W17 at Silverstone," Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes trackside engineering director, said. "As with any shakedown, the focus is on ensuring everything operates safely and reliably. We were able to get through our allotted mileage, with both George and Kimi getting to experience the 2026 car on track for the first time. That is testament to the hard work of everyone at Brackley and Brixworth.

George Russell, Mercedes W17

Photo by: Mercedes AMG

"Our attention now turns to Barcelona where we will look to build on today’s running and add to our understanding of the W17."

Following Mercedes’ inaugural run at Silverstone, nearly half of the expanded 11-team grid has completed shakedowns of their 2026 machinery.

Audi was the first to hit the ground running with its new challenger after taking over the erstwhile Sauber operation, with Cadillac, Racing Bulls and Alpine following the German brand in recent days.

The full 2026 field will converge on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 26-30 January for the first official test. Teams will have to select any three days from the five-day window to run their cars behind closed doors in Barcelona.

Two more tests will follow in the warmer climate of Bahrain in February, both of which will be open to the public and media.

Given the size of the regulation overhaul, with chassis and engine rules being changed together for the first time since 2014, the FIA has allocated additional time for testing this year.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes W17

Photo by: Mercedes AMG

Mercedes carries the same driver line-up into 2026, with F1 sophomore Antonelli partnering the team's new leader Russell.

Mercedes ended the 2025 season second in the constructors' standings, beating both Red Bull and Ferrari - although it failed to put up a fight to McLaren, which used its customer engines.