Tech analysis: Mercedes bare its teeth ahead of the season opener

Numerous changes were made to the W08 during the two pre-season tests, the most extensive of which came at the second test, when Mercedes revised its front wing, front brake duct, bargeboards and diffuser.

The W08's front wing is pretty much a carry-over from its predecessor, as the outwash tunnel, which was introduced in 2015 and refined since, has been retained.

The only significant change has been the revision of the 'r' cascade during the second test, when the team added a slot into its surface. This revises the shape of the vortex that is created as the two pressure gradients entwine, changing the way it'll interact with the front face of the tyre, which is 60mm wider this year.

Changes were also made to the front brake duct, with the small slot several centimetres behind the leading edge enlarged, displacing the forward most element from the tyre's sidewall in order to change how the two interact from an aerodynamic perspective.

The scoop placed just behind was also revised and now features the horizontal protective meshing installed on the car last season.

Mercedes new barge board

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

The area ahead of the sidepods was always going to be one of intrigue in 2017, with the regulations relaxing the dimensional stranglehold that had been placed on it since 2009.

The installation of larger, more complex structures was pretty much a given but the solutions trialled by Mercedes at the second test are by far the most aggressive we've seen so far.

The floor's axehead [1] has been given the same kind of treatment that Mercedes' 'W-Floor' entailed last season, with these teeth like strakes used to control the turbulent airflow that the they receive.

The latter, shallower section of bargeboard now also features vertical slots [2], again similar to a solution used last year, with Mercedes aiming to improve the efficiency of flow in this area at various yaw angles.

The small, aggressively out-turned pre-bargeboard [3] was also given the slotted treatment, although these perforate the surface's entire height.

The bat-wing used in 2014-16 that sat astride the ride height sensor has been changed dramatically for 2017 and now features Z-shaped winglets either side of the sensor that work in harmony with the turning vanes ahead and bargeboards behind.

Mercedes W08 new diffuser comparison

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

The outer sections of the diffuser were also revised at the second test and now feature a slightly less aggressively out-turned strake, making way for a much more complicated semi-detached gurney as the team looks to improve the relationship between the surfaces that surround it, such as the brake duct fins, rear wing endplates and even the wake generated by the rear tyre.