The Race F1 Podcast Mercedes’ F1 car reveal and McLaren’s ‘clever’ upgrade strategy
Jan 22, 2026
Join experienced motorsport journalist Jon Noble as he dives into Mercedes' new W17 car reveal and its cutting-edge design features. He discusses McLaren’s clever strategy of delaying their testing to maximize development and avoid early commitments, potentially outsmarting their rivals. The conversation also covers the upcoming engine meeting regarding power unit advancements and the implications of compression ratio changes. Get insights into team strategies and what the new regulations could mean for the season ahead.
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Mercedes Reveal Is An Early, Evolving Concept
- The Mercedes W17 render looks like a tidy, evolved concept but likely isn't final and will change through development.
- Key areas such as the floor and the sidepod inwash will see rapid iteration before Bahrain and Melbourne.
Why Mercedes Power Unit Is Favored
- The Mercedes power unit reputation comes from strong messaging and historical precedent as much as proven track advantage.
- Real performance differences will show in steady-state laps, battery regenerative efficiency, and cooling strategies.
Compression Ratio Meeting Will Focus On Procedure
- The upcoming engine meeting will likely set a dynamic compression-ratio measurement procedure rather than immediate rule changes for Melbourne.
- Any substantive adjustments are more likely to follow a measured timeline, possibly mid-season or 2027.