George Russell and Kimi Antonelli lead Mercedes into Suzuka with special livery<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Already, Haas had unveiled its Godzilla-themed livery for this weekend\u2019s Japanese Grand Prix, while Racing Bulls unveiled an eye-catching white, red, and silver look for Suzuka.<\/p>\n Mercedes will also be shaking up its livery this weekend, at least when it comes to the front wing, anyway.<\/p>\n Complete with an \u2018unleashing the Beast this weekend in Suzuka\u2019 caption on social media, Mercedes revealed a Wolf-inspired character which will adorn the top of the front wing on the W17s, driven by George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.<\/p>\n The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix Mercedes W17, with its wolf design front wing<\/p>\n Latest Japanese GP livery news after Mercedes reveal<\/p>\n Haas unveils special Japanese Grand Prix livery after \u2018groundbreaking collaboration\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Racing Bulls unveil bespoke Japanese Grand Prix livery<\/a><\/p>\n It has been an outstanding start to the season for Mercedes. The Silver Arrows have displayed dominance over a single lap, while Russell and Antonelli boast one win apiece at the start of the season.<\/p>\n Russell went into F1 2026 as the title favourite, but by securing an impressive first grand prix win last time out in China, Antonelli staked his claim.<\/p>\n Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been keen to play down title talk<\/a> surrounding the 19-year-old Antonelli.<\/p>\n So, he was asked how close he believes Antonelli\u2019s level is now to Russell\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u201cSo far, George has had the upper hand a little bit,\u201d said Wolff following the Chinese Grand Prix, \u201cand we haven\u2019t seen a real lap in qualifying yesterday. Also today, he was clearly on the back foot, and it never came to a head-to-head situation.<\/p>\n \u201cSo we also need to consider that.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the dynamics, George has always respected Kimi and acknowledged his speed and his ability.<\/p>\n \u201cNow he has that win in the pocket, he\u2019s just, I think, the same competitor that he was before. The really good ones recognise the other ones.<\/p>\n \u201cSo both are now Grand Prix winners. Both are part of a very small circle of Mercedes Grand Prix winners. I think there are only seven that won in a Mercedes, and that\u2019s a small little group, and I think he can be very proud of that.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mercedes-w17-wolf-wing-japan-2026-planetf1.jpeg\")
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