Mercedes unveil 2026 Formula 1 car and announce major Microsoft deal

The 2026 Mercedes F1 car
The 2026 Mercedes F1 carHandout / Mercedes-Benz Group AG / AFP / Profimedia

Mercedes announced a major new sponsorship deal with Microsoft ‍on Thursday as they revealed images of the W17 Formula 1 car that the ​former champions hope will take them back to the top this season.

The Microsoft branding appears on the sides of the mostly silver and black car's ⁠airbox and front wing.

No financial details were given, although ‌Sky News cited an unnamed sponsorship expert as ‌suggesting the deal could be worth $60 million a year for the team.

The team will start testing in Barcelona next week amid widespread speculation that ⁠they have found a loophole in the new engine regulations that could put them ahead of rivals Ferrari. Mercedes also provide power units to McLaren, Williams and Renault-owned Alpine as well as their factory team.

The team will hold an online launch event on February 2 with two more tests in Bahrain before the season starts in Australia on March 8.

It was also announced separately ⁠that 22-year-old French driver Doriane Pin, winner ‌of last year's all-female F1 Academy series, would step up to a development role with the team this season.

Pin will work in the simulator, have additional duties at the ⁠factory and attend several grands prix trackside, ​the team said.

Mercedes finished second to champions McLaren ‌last season, with British driver George Russell taking two ​wins and Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli stepping on the podium three times and becoming the youngest driver to set a fastest lap.

The team won eight constructors' titles in a row between 2014 ‌and 2021 before Red Bull and then McLaren became the teams to beat.