Mercedes has revealed its special livery for Sepang, and I have reached a completely calm and professional conclusion.
It looks beautiful. Actually, forget beautiful. The W17 looks aggressive, sharp and slightly angry, as though somebody told the car what happened in Baku and it has arrived in Malaysia demanding another trophy.
The stronger PETRONAS identity suits it perfectly. Sepang is the home race of Mercedes’ title and technical partner, so this is not colour added simply because the design department became excited on a Tuesday afternoon. PETRONAS has been part of the team since Mercedes returned to Formula 1 in 2010, making this weekend genuinely important to the entire partnership.
Special liveries can occasionally look like somebody discovered the colour settings five minutes before the launch. This one still looks like a Mercedes. It has simply arrived wearing its most confident outfit.
For me, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team already has the most beautiful livery on the grid. Silver, black and PETRONAS cian create a combination that looks modern without becoming unnecessarily busy. The only car that comes close is Haas, although I may simply have a weakness for anything wearing red and black.
I think I like red and black slightly too much. LOL.
However, a beautiful livery becomes much more attractive when the car wearing it is fighting at the front. George Russell arrives after winning in Baku, while Kimi Antonelli remains at the top of the championship despite calling Azerbaijan his most difficult weekend of the season. Mercedes now brings a new upgrade package to Sepang, which makes this much more than a fashionable visit to Malaysia.
From a slightly more technical side, Mercedes will be watching whether the upgrade improves aerodynamic balance through Sepang’s faster corners while giving the drivers better rear stability and traction through the slower sections. If the W17 becomes more predictable without overheating its tyres, George and Kimi can attack rather than spending the race negotiating with the car like frustrated customer-service agents.
Toto Wolff’s message was encouraging, but sensibly cautious. In simple terms, Sepang matters because of PETRONAS, the circuit will test every part of the car and Mercedes knows it has not challenged for pole often enough at more conventional tracks.
The update is intended to move the team forward, but Toto is not promising miracles. Mercedes must understand the new parts quickly, manage the tyres in Malaysia’s heat and prove everything against the stopwatch. The car may look ready to fight, but unfortunately Formula 1 does not award points for standing beautifully inside the garage.
Very inconsiderate.
Sepang will examine everything Mercedes has been trying to improve. Its fast corners require confidence, the slower sections need traction and the hot conditions can turn tyre management into an afternoon-long argument. As I wrote in my Sepang preview, the weather may also change without warning and throw everybody’s strategy into a nearby bin.
That makes this the perfect place to discover whether the update genuinely works. If Mercedes is competitive here, the progress will feel much more meaningful than producing speed at a circuit with unusual characteristics.
And yes, I am already looking towards George.
He was brilliant in Baku. Pole position, complete control and a victory secured while Sir Max Verstappen arrived beside him at the finish line. George finally received some cooperation from the F1 Gods, and I would appreciate it if that arrangement continued for at least one more weekend.
I want him inside the top three again at Sepang. The new livery deserves to be seen on the podium, preferably beneath George while he smiles and makes me believe his luck has signed a permanent contract.
Kimi will obviously be dangerous too. He has spent most of this season collecting victories, points and good fortune with the efficiency of somebody gathering loyalty rewards. But after George’s performance in Azerbaijan, I want to see Mercedes give both drivers a car capable of fighting for pole rather than hoping the leaders make mistakes.
The livery looks ready. The upgrade is arriving. Sepang is waiting.
Now, All George has to do is to make this beautiful and aggressive Mercedes fast enough to remain at the front. Pretty Please
Waiting for Mr. Saturday to give the new colours some Sunday silverware.
aKi Malik
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