Mercedes will pull the covers off its 2019 charger on February 13, but ahead of next week's unveiling the team teased a picture on Tuesday suggesting its contender could sport a radical livery.

Over the years, Mercedes has always draped its cars in silver, with a creative pattern of Petronas green on the sides.

But yesterday's tease of what appears to be a partial view of the W10's front wing clearly indicates a departure from its traditional robe.

However, it's likely the striking motif could just be a camouflage effect intended for pre-season testing only, a practice exploited by Red Bull in the past.

Come Melbourne, the W10's shining armour should revert back to its sober silver skin.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

When you're good enough, you're old enough!

On this day in 2008, Formula 1 saw a spring chicken named Sebastian Vettel become…

1 hour ago

Leclerc defends Ferrari call as Vasseur sees missed Madring win

Charles Leclerc left the Madring with no regrets about Ferrari's strategic gamble in the Spanish…

2 hours ago

Norris’ cola clash – tells F1 ‘I’m allowed to drink what I want’

Lando Norris lost out on a victory at the Madring thanks to a perfectly miserable…

4 hours ago

Sainz takes heat from all sides after bruising Madrid homecoming

For Carlos Sainz, the Madring's first Formula 1 weekend was supposed to be a homecoming…

5 hours ago

Team Talk: A very first Sunday at the Madring

Cadillac Sergio Perez, DNF “Our race was going really strong up until the moment we…

6 hours ago

Spanish GP: Sunday's action in pictures

Kimi Antonelli’s eighth win underlined his growing authority, but the Madring also exposed the fine…

17 hours ago