2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

[sucof]

Beautiful looking car. There’s a fantastic atmosphere at the factory. They know they’ve built something truly special. People will be surprised to see the kind of advantage we have this season, not just on the engine side but in aerodynamics as well.

The Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team will be world champions by the end of this year. You can take that to the bank.

??? How do you know about the atmosphere at the factory? Are you working there???
How do you know about their car that much?
etc...

[SB15]

Beautiful looking car. There’s a fantastic atmosphere at the factory. They know they’ve built something truly special. People will be surprised to see the kind of advantage we have this season, not just on the engine side but in aerodynamics as well.

The Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team will be world champions by the end of this year. You can take that to the bank.

??? How do you know about the atmosphere at the factory? Are you working there???
How do you know about their car that much?
etc...

Calm down, it's just fan hype and that's okay. Can't really "know" the pecking order until the first Quali & Race. (Or Maybe during the test like we seen with Mclaren)

Mercedes is my choice for the WDC & WCC, but again you never know.

[Emag]

I'll admit, early spec or not, it's growing on me. It's a good looking car.

Game Over:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80AERsgXEUY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80AERsgXEUY

[Lasssept]

[deadhead]

Not the worst looking F1 cars but certainly not great looking either...

Even the 2022-2025 cars looked better overall

[Jozsusz]

Not the worst looking F1 cars but certainly not great looking either...

Even the 2022-2025 cars looked better overall

Disagree, the ground effect cars looked hideous.

[Matt2725]

Agreed. These cars are much nicer.

[FittingMechanics]

Agreed. This Mercedes is a good looking car but the lighting in those pictures is not ideal and their dark car doesn't stand out.

[Chuckjr]

If this car performs as good as it looks, Toto will sign Max before year's end.

[SilviuAgo]

some parts already under deeper analysis from F1 world.
According to Craig Scarborough, "Merc appeared have found a whole different interpretation of the #F1 diffuser regs
There's a huge opening in the side! It can be seen both sides. Probably working with the huge undercut on the sidepods to create more downforce. I wouldn't call this a double diffuse"

[SilviuAgo]

An some Mercedes vs RedBull comparison, considering what we saw until now:

[WardenOfTheNorth]

If this car performs as good as it looks, Toto will sign Max before year's end.

So we're ignoring Max saying he intends to see out his career at Red Bull then??

[Chuckjr]

I think he has some kinda clause in his contract that allows him to leave if he is not near the top of the DWC. Now why would he have that if he 100% intended to follow through on that comment no matter what? Everything changes in F1. Ultimately, drivers are loyal to the fastest car they can get their hands on. If Merc have a car that is unbeatable by the RB, I would imagine Max would have no problem changing his mind, and exercising his contract.

Back to Merc.

I'm impressed with whatever is going on with the huge diffusor opening in the back downstream from the lifted side pods. To me, it looks like A LOT of air is intended to flow through there--just surprised so much will be dumped directly into the diffusor flow. I am looking forward to seeing this unfold. The power unit sounded good for a hybrid.

[DJ Downforce]

If this car performs as good as it looks, Toto will sign Max before year's end.

Why would he do that? George Russell will be winning the championship if it's a rocket so there will be no need to fork out millions...

[Chuckjr]

It's the bigger picture he would bring to the team and the cohesiveness it offers with his involvement with Merc in other forms of racing. In my opinion, if King George wins the championship Toto will put Max alongside George and punt Kimi to the Williams. I know many would heartily disagree with that. Just what I think. Max presents a lot to Merc commercially and would be a strong figurehead (more than George imo) long term not to mention the other forms of racing Max wants to dive into that makes Max a good match for Merc long term. I don't think Toto see's King George in such a position. Certainly could be wrong here, but I really think Toto wants Max for the long term. I think it's why the contract with King George took so long--George wanted assurance if he wins WDC he gets to stay. All that said, if RB can deliver a car that can beat the Merc on merit, then certainly, I think Max will win at RB and will stay there for the remainder of his contract and then go to Merc. I only think he would leave this year if he didn't see a strong future with RB. I personally think the Merc PU will be strong--possibly the envy of the field. We will know soon enough.