Mercedes Rolls Out a Bold New Blue Livery for the 2026 U.S. Grand Prix

When the Silver Arrows rolled into Austin this weekend, they weren’t wearing their usual silver‑blue mix. Instead, the Mercedes‑W17 sported a head‑turning, all‑blue skin that felt more like a fashion statement than a race‑car paint job.

The new look was born out of a partnership with German street‑wear brand MANUFAKTUR. The label, known for its gritty, urban aesthetics, supplied the hue and some subtle graphics that echo its logo’s angular lines. The result is a glossy, electric‑blue finish that gleams under the Texas sun and makes the car look as if it’s ready to sprint straight off the track and onto a runway.

This isn’t Mercedes’ first flirtation with blue this season. At the Bahrain Grand Prix they dipped their brushes in the signature shade of title‑sponsor Petronas, a nod to the company’s corporate colour. But the Austin iteration is louder, more unapologetic – a true ‘livery‑day’ moment that fans will be talking about for weeks.

Mercedes isn’t alone in the livery‑party. Across the grid, the likes of Ferrari, Aston Martin, Haas and Cadillac have all rolled out their own themed designs. Haas went full Godzilla, complete with monster‑scale graphics, while Cadillac embraced a cowboy motif that feels right at home on the Circuit of the Americas. Even Red Bull has joined the fun, dressing Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar in cowboy‑hat helmets and western‑styled suits.

For the drivers, the fresh paint also means matching race suits. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will be suited up in jackets that mirror the blue tone, while the rest of the team will sport white and silver accents that complement the new palette.

Technically, the livery change is cosmetic – the car still runs the same ADUO power unit and latest aerodynamic package that Mercedes unveiled after a mixed showing in Malaysia and Singapore. However, the visual impact can’t be denied; a striking colour scheme can boost team morale and, frankly, give the photographers something spectacular to capture.

As the United States Grand Prix kicks off on October 23‑25, all eyes will be on the W17’s new coat of paint. Whether the blue helps the team translate its recent upgrades into podium finishes remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: Mercedes has turned the usual racing backdrop into a runway, and the fans are loving every minute of it.