The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team has officially started track work for the 2026 season by placing the new W16 model on the Silverstone circuit, in the Inglaterra. The event took place this Thursday (22), marking the first shakedown of the car, which represents a radical change in the technical regulations of the category. George Russell, now the German team’s most experienced driver, was responsible for driving the vehicle during the first installation laps on British soil.
The activity was carried out under adverse weather conditions, typical of the European winter in Reino Unido, which allowed an immediate evaluation of the systems on a wet track. The testing schedule was brought forward in relation to official pre-season training, which is scheduled to start next week. With the presence of Toto Wolff in the pits, the team focused on verifying the integration of the new components and the basic functioning of the power unit.
- Official presentation of the W16 model livery on social media.
- First laps of George Russell with the heavy rain tires of the Pirelli.
- Detailed monitoring of electronic systems under the new regulation.
- Confirmed presence of the young Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli in technical support.
Rolling out for our first laps of F1 2026 😤pic.twitter.com/V2hvUTv3Gx
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1)January 22, 2026
Aerodynamic development and innovative engine in focus
Mercedes seeks to regain hegemony in the constructors’ world championship, a title it has not won since 2021, betting on a completely reformulated project. Especialistas from the sector point out that the German automaker may have identified competitive advantages in the new engine regulations, which generated great expectations behind the scenes. The development of the W16 prioritizes energy efficiency and reduced overall weight, essential features for the new phase of the competition.
Engineers at Brackley worked hard to ensure that the car responded well to the demands of new batteries and hybrid systems. Durante the passages through Silverstone, it was possible to notice visible changes in the body compared to previous years, reflecting the search for less aerodynamic drag. The technical team collected fundamental data that will be processed before the trip for collective tests, where performance will be compared with rivals.
Preparation of George Russell and integration of Antonelli
George Russell assumes the role of technical leader inside the cockpit in 2026, using his experience to guide the development of the car alongside the engineers. The 27-year-old British driver demonstrated confidence when operating the W16 for the first time in low-grip conditions, reporting his first impressions via radio. The car’s stability in fast corners was one of the points monitored, aiming for the Grande Prêmio of the Inglaterra scheduled for the month of July.
The internal dynamics of Mercedes are also going through an important transition with the consolidation of Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the starting team. The 19-year-old Italian young man, who begins his second season in the elite of motorsport, closely followed each pit exit this Thursday. Essa collaboration between the youth of Antonelli and the maturity of Russell is seen by Toto Wolff as the necessary balance to face the current powers on the grid.
Technical specifications and the new 2026 regulation
The regulation that debuts this season promotes one of the biggest technological revolutions in recent history, profoundly changing active aerodynamics. The W16 was designed to adapt to these changes, which include more complex movable wings and a greater reliance on engine electricals. The Mercedes took advantage of the shakedown to validate the chassis’ behavior in the face of these new torque and instantaneous power variables.
- Use of 100% sustainable fuels in accordance with international federation guidelines.
- Increased electrical power to balance the delivery of the internal combustion engine.
- Reduction in tire dimensions to reduce weight and improve agility on the track.
- Implementation of new passive safety systems in the pilots’ cockpit.
The market expectation is that the Mercedes will be able to translate the simulator data into a real lap time advantage in the first races. Relatos behind-the-scenes footage suggests that the German power unit showed significant gains in terms of reliability during bench testing. The test in Silverstone served to confirm whether the cooling of these components would be efficient under real driving stress.
Logistics and next steps before the opening of the World Cup
Upon completion of activities in Silverstone, the car will be transported back to the factory for a thorough inspection of all carbon fiber components. The disassembly and reassembly process is standard to ensure that no cracks or structural failures have occurred during initial contact with the track. The logistics team is already preparing to send all the equipment to the international collective testing headquarters.
The Mercedes schedule foresees that both pilots will share driving duties during the three days of official training next week. Esse period will be crucial for fine-tuning the set-up and testing different tire compounds in dry and hot track conditions. The team’s top priority is to ensure solid mileage to avoid reliability issues that could jeopardize the start of the championship.
Toto Wolff strategy to regain the top of the category
Team leader Toto Wolff has reinforced that Mercedes cannot afford to start the year behind its main competitors. The second place achieved in 2025 served as a basis, but the declared objective is the constant fight for victories and pole positions from the first stage. Investment in simulation technology in recent months has been massive, reflecting the desire to dominate the new technical era of the category.
The team’s financial stability and support from sponsors have allowed the development of the W16 to proceed without significant interruptions over the past year. Wolff believes that a deep understanding of the new rules will be the difference between the top teams in this transition season. The atmosphere at Silverstone was one of restrained optimism, with the team focused on transforming theoretical potential into practical results.
Impact of weather conditions on first contact with the vehicle
Testing a brand-new Fórmula 1 car in heavy rain presents high risks, but provides valuable data on the project’s drainage and visibility. George Russell managed to maintain a steady pace, allowing sensors to map the flow of water over the W16’s aerodynamic surfaces. Esse type of information is difficult to replicate with absolute accuracy in wind tunnels or computer programs.
The performance of heavy rain tires was also a point of analysis for the Pirelli engineers who attended the private session. Como the GP of Inglaterra tends to present climate variations, having this data from The engine’s behavior at low temperatures has also been validated, ensuring that the ignition maps are ready for any scenario.
Global expectations for the official debut of the new engine
The world of motorsport is eagerly awaiting to see whether the rumors about the superiority of the 2026 Mercedes engine will be confirmed on the track. The automaker has a successful track record in changing regulations, as seen at the start of the hybrid era in 2014 when it dominated the sport. If the regulatory gap mentioned by international analysts is real, the team could have an advantage of crucial tenths of a second.
The competition, led by teams like Red Bull and Ferrari, also closely monitors every step taken by the Germans in Silverstone. The industrial secrecy surrounding the W16 is strictly maintained, with the released footage only focusing on angles that do not reveal sensitive details of the diffuser. The true hierarchy of forces will only begin to be drawn when all cars are on the track simultaneously.
Technical innovation and the future of Mercedes in competition
Mercedes’s commitment to sustainability and technological innovation is stamped on every detail of the new car presented this Thursday. Além the search for speed, the team uses the Fórmula 1 platform to test solutions that could reach street cars in the future. The W16 design is seen as the pinnacle of modern German engineering, combining extreme performance and efficiency.
The journey that began in Silverstone is just the first chapter of a year that promises to be one of the most challenging in the history of Mercedes. With a talented pair of drivers and a motivated technical staff, the team hopes that the W16 will be the instrument of its triumphant return to the highest place on the podium. The coming weeks will determine whether the optimism seen in the British paddock will translate into a real championship advantage.