“It’s meh”- Mercedes’ 2026 Formula One Livery sparks fan backlash as new era begins for the team

Mercedes have triggered a strong reaction online after revealing their new car livery for the 2026 Formula One season. The black, grey and green design was meant to signal a fresh start, but instead it quickly became a talking point for the wrong reasons. Fans flooded social media with criticism, calling the look strange and unappealing within minutes of the launch.The car was unveiled by team principal Toto Wolff as Mercedes prepared for a major reset in Formula One. With sweeping regulation changes coming in 2026, the German team hopes the new design and technology will help them return to the front of the grid. However, early reactions suggest fans are far from convinced by the visual direction, even if expectations remain high on track.Mercedes will race in 2026 with George Russell and highly rated Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli. The team are widely viewed as title contenders due to their strong technical base and past dominance. The new season introduces major changes, including a new chassis, a revised power unit, and a greater focus on sustainable fuels.Some rival teams have suggested that Mercedes, along with Red Bull, may have found clever interpretations of the new engine rules. That has only added to the attention around the car launch. But for fans online, performance talk took a back seat to the livery itself.Images of the car spread rapidly across Instagram and X. One fan described the car as looking odd and claimed it was the poorest Mercedes design since the team switched to black liveries. Another supporter felt it ranked among the worst designs the team has produced in recent years. A third fan went even further, labelling it the ugliest car on the grid, while others simply said the design looked strange and disappointing.Despite the criticism, Wolff remained focused on the bigger picture. He said Formula One is heading into a period of massive change and stressed that Mercedes are fully ready for it. He explained that the new rules demand creativity and complete concentration in every performance area. Wolff added that the work done on the car, the long-term engine project, and the use of advanced sustainable fuels all reflect that mindset.Mercedes are the fifth team to unveil a 2026 livery so far, following Red Bull, Racing Bulls, Haas, and newcomer Audi. Ferrari and Alpine are due to reveal their designs today. Williams will launch theirs on February 3, with Cadillac following on February 8. Reigning champions McLaren and Aston Martin will unveil their cars a day later.