Mercedes unveils Suzuka-themed W17 livery for F1 Japan Grand Prix. Mercedes unveils a special W17 livery for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

Mercedes reveals special W17 livery for Japanese GP

George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s W17 cars will feature a different livery for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. The highlight is the front wing, which showcases the face of a dragon.

The Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled for this weekend, is proving to be a source of inspiration for the teams. After Red Bull Racing and Haas F1—who unveiled their new Suzuka livery this morning—Mercedes revealed its special paint scheme for the third race of the season this afternoon.

The team, led by Toto Wolff, decided to adopt a livery that differs from the standard design used in the first two rounds in Australia and China.

Russell and Antonelli’s W17 cars will not be drastically different from a few weeks ago. The main area affected by the color change is the front wing.

The carbon black previously found along the profiles of the front wing has been replaced with the face of a dragon. The white face features yellow eyes and red details outlining the mouth and the inner parts of the eyes.

The dragon’s face will be particularly visible when the front aerodynamic flap is closed, which is mainly in corners, where the downforce will help Russell and Antonelli maintain speed through these sections of the track.

Mercedes is the third team to unveil a special livery for the Japanese Grand Prix. This morning, Haas revealed its new design dedicated to Godzilla, prominently displayed on the engine cover of the VF-26.

It is expected that the Mercedes livery will also appear at the United States Grand Prix, likely in a slightly different version, for the home race of the team led by Ayao Komatsu. Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing has opted for a livery inspired by the colors of the Japanese national flag: white and red.

The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix is therefore shaping up to be a visual spectacle as much as a technical one. With Mercedes bringing a “Dragon” design to their front wing, the team is clearly looking to embrace local culture while seeking the aerodynamic edge needed to stay ahead of the pack. Based on the content of these livery reveals, Suzuka remains one of the most prestigious stops on the calendar for sponsors and creative designers alike.