Bargeboard

A bargeboard is a vertical aerodynamic panel mounted on the sides of Formula 1 and other open-wheel racing cars, positioned between the front wheels and the sidepods, designed to control and direct airflow around the vehicle to improve performance.

In simple terms, bargeboards work like invisible traffic controllers for air. As a race car speeds down the track, air rushes over, under, and around it from all directions. The front wheels spin rapidly and create messy, turbulent air that can slow the car down. Bargeboards redirect this chaotic airflow away from critical parts of the car, ensuring cleaner air reaches areas where it's needed most.

These curved panels serve multiple purposes that all contribute to making the car faster. First, they push turbulent air from the spinning front tires outward, preventing it from interfering with the car's central bodywork and rear aerodynamics. Second, they guide clean air into the sidepod air intakes, which help cool the engine and other internal components that generate extreme heat during racing.

Bargeboards also play a crucial role in generating downforce, which is the invisible force that pushes the car down onto the track surface, allowing it to corner faster. They direct airflow over the car's floor and toward the diffuser at the rear, making these components work more efficiently. The bargeboard creates swirling air patterns called vortices that act like invisible barriers, sealing the low-pressure area underneath the car.

The design of bargeboards evolved dramatically over the years. When McLaren first introduced them in 1993, they were relatively simple curved plates. By the 2010s, bargeboards had become incredibly complex structures with multiple elements, fins, and turning vanes attached to them. Teams spent millions developing these intricate designs because even small improvements in airflow management could translate to faster lap times.

Bargeboards typically appeared as tall panels at the front that gradually decreased in height toward the rear, creating a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side. They curved outward when viewed from above, following the contours of the car's body. Struts or connectors held them away from the main chassis at the front, while they connected to the sidepods or floor at the rear.

Despite their effectiveness, bargeboards created a significant problem in Formula 1 racing. The complex airflow patterns they generated made it harder for cars following behind to maintain their own aerodynamic efficiency. This turbulent wake, often called "dirty air," reduced overtaking opportunities and made races less exciting. As part of a major rule change aimed at improving racing, Formula 1 banned bargeboards starting with the 2022 season.

The impact of bargeboards on performance was clearly demonstrated at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix when Max Verstappen's bargeboard was damaged early in the race. This damage noticeably affected his car's pace throughout the event, showing just how critical these components were to overall performance. Today's Formula 1 cars use different aerodynamic solutions to manage airflow, but bargeboards remain an important part of motorsport history and continue to be used in other racing series where regulations permit them.