Skip to main content

Mercedes’ 2017 Formula One car has some big tire tracks to fill

Since Formula One adopted its current hybrid powertrain format in 2014, Mercedes-Benz has been unstoppable. For the past three seasons, the question hasn’t been which team would win F1 championships, but which of the Mercedes drivers would come out on top. That dominance will likely continue in 2017.

F1 introduced lots of changes to chassis-design rules for 2017, but the hybrid powertrains remain. Since Mercedes’ rivals didn’t show much progress in that area last year, the German automaker’s “Silver Arrows” are the cars to watch once again this season. The newly unveiled Mercedes W08 EQ Power+ may very well be this year’s championship-winning car.

Recommended Videos

The new F1 car marks the second use of the “EQ” designation, following the Mercedes Generation EQ electric SUV concept, which debuted at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Mercedes plans to use the EQ name for a new electric-car sub-brand, similar to BMW i. It will also use the “EQ Power” designation for all future plug-in hybrids for its main brand, and “EQ Power+” for plug-in hybrids from its AMG performance sub-brand. It’s a good thing Mercedes used its F1 car to advertise this naming scheme, because no one would remember it otherwise.

The car itself reflects rule changes applied to all Formula One cars for the 2017 season. In a bid to increase performance and visual appeal, F1 cars are longer and wider, and designers have more leeway to tweak aerodynamic elements. Mercedes says only 17 percent of components from last year’s W07 carry over to the Wo8. It actually started testing 60-percent scale models of the new car in its wind tunnel before the first race of last season, and completed over 2,000 sessions in the tunnel.

Mercedes says the powertrain — or “power unit,” in F1 speak — was thoroughly redesigned, although rules mandate the same configuration used since 2014. A 1.6-liter, turbocharged V6 assisted by an electric motor. Electric power can be harvested from exhaust heat or braking. In 2017, cars are expected to run at full throttle 10 percent more, so teams are allotted 5 percent more fuel per race.

This season, the Mercedes lineup will once again include three-time champion Lewis Hamilton, as well as newcomer Valtteri Bottas. The Finn joined Mercedes from Williams to fill the spot vacated by Nico Rosberg, who retired at the end of last season, just days after clinching the F1 title after a fierce battle with Hamilton.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
8 key things you need to know from Apple’s WWDC 2025 event
From a fresh look and updated names, to new features, more intelligence and live translation
iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 shown on devices.

The WWDC 2025 keynote ran for just over an hour and a half. For those of you who don't fancy sitting through the whole presentation, we've pulled out the key things you need to know from the latest Apple event.

1. Welcome to the 26 club

Read more
Tesla’s robotaxi service is almost here, but it’s not the car you want to see
Silver Tesla Model Y Juniper side

Tesla chief Elon Musk has said that the automaker is aiming to launch its robotaxi service on June 22, in Austin, Texas.

“Tentatively, June 22,” Musk said in a post on X on Tuesday, adding: “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.”

Read more
I tried an e-bike for the first time and now I’m hooked
It’s not about being a 'bike person', it’s about finding small upgrades to everyday life
A woman sitting on the Aventon Pace 4

Before this year, I’d never even touched an e-bike before, and the thought of riding one was never on my radar. With life already in constant motion thanks to two toddlers, biking wasn’t something I ever considered adding to the mix.

I’d always assumed e-bikes were for hardcore commuters or serious cyclists, not someone like me. I wasn’t looking for a big lifestyle change. I just wanted a quicker way to get to the park so we’d have more time to play before dinner.

Read more