Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMercedes

Mercedes sports innovative bargeboard design

According to Toto Wolff, Mercedes was expected to introduce a set of 'unusual' upgrades during this week's pre-season Barcelona test.

This morning, the team's new W07 featured its first cosmetic change in the form of a radical bargeboard design.

The concept includes a serrated vertical frontal area supported at its base by individual horizontal plates extending from the floor.

One suspects that the aggressive looking design's purpose is to guide more efficiently the airflow under the floor and to the car's rear diffuser.

Mid-way through the morning's session, Nico Rosberg has currently been the most active driver out on the Circuit de Catalunya, raking in almost twice the amount of laps of his rivals.

No comment yet on the efficiency of the new bargeboard design or the nature of any future upgrades destined to be introduced later this week, but check out F1i's Nicolas Carpentier's technical review of the new Mercedes W07.

Follow live coverage and timing from pre-season testing here

Who is driving when during the first pre-season test

GALLERY: Pre-season testing day one

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.