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

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

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.

Recent Posts

Big mileage, early confidence: Mercedes open Barcelona shakedown strongly

Mercedes launched its 2026 Formula 1 campaign in quietly confident fashion as the opening day…

11 hours ago

Barcelona F1 test – Day 1: Red Bull’s Hadjar leads the way

Red Bull wasted no time stamping its authority on Formula 1’s tightly guarded private test…

12 hours ago

Ferrari targeting former McLaren engineer for Hamilton role

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari future is once again under the spotlight, with reports suggesting the seven-time…

14 hours ago

Verstappen inches closer to Nürburgring 24-Hour dream

The stars – and more importantly, the calendars – are finally aligning for Max Verstappen…

16 hours ago

Carlos Pace finally brings it home

On this day in 1975, Brabham's Carlos Pace finally won his maiden Grand Prix, the…

17 hours ago

Aston Martin delays AMR26 debut in Barcelona

As a new era of Formula 1 dawns this week, Aston Martin has joined the…

18 hours ago