Mercedes announce major upgrade and stunning new look as F1 returns to Malaysia
Formula 1 returns to Malaysia this weekend for the first time since 2017 and Mercedes will celebrate the milestone with a striking new livery.
Mercedes team sponsor Petronas is a Malaysia-based multinational and the team will run with a fresh look to honour their partnership when F1 rolls into Sepang for this year's relocated Bahrain Grand Prix.
World championship leader Kimi Antonelli and chief chaser George Russell will take to the track in a one-off styling. More importantly, it will wrap two cars that have had a major technical upgrade.
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Mercedes go green and black for F1 return to Sepang
Mercedes have switched out their silver, black and green livery for the upcoming weekend in Malaysia, where the Bahrain GP will be held after it was delayed by the conflict in the Middle East in the early part of the F1 season.
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Kuala Lumpur-based Petronos has been the title sponsor of the Brackley outfit since 2010, making Sepang something of a homecoming for the team.
The Malaysian GP was last held in 2017 before dropping off the schedule.
"It's fantastic to see Formula One returning to Sepang and we should also recognise the effort that has gone into making this Grand Prix happen. It has required strong collaboration between Malaysia and Bahrain, and that deserves credit," says Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
"Once the cars are on track, though, our focus is on the job ahead. Sepang is a demanding circuit that asks every question of the car.
"You need performance in the high-speed corners, good traction, strong tyre management and consistency in hot, challenging conditions. It is one of the more complete tests on the calendar."
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Mercedes have confirmed a major upgrade for Malaysia
Wolff has also confirmed that the car will be lifted by a performance boost as well as a lick of paint.
The second upgrade package of the season should see the Mercedes teammates continue to compete at the front of the grid, where they have been for the majority of the season despite Wolff's admission that three consecutive race wins between Antonelli and Russell might not indicate that all is well.
"We are bringing an update package this weekend, and that is an important step for us," he said.
"At the more representative circuits in recent races, we have not been where we want to be.
"Our focus is on understanding the package quickly, executing the weekend well, and aiming to put ourselves in the fight at the front."
Antonelli won in Italy and Spain to take his total number of GP wins in 2026 to eight, while Russell took the chequered flag in Azerbaijan in the last round.
The 20-year-old Italian leads the world championship with 302 points, followed by Russell in second with 236.
Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc make up the rest of the top five.
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Topics: Formula 1, Mercedes, George Russell
Chris Nee