Photo by Gillfoto (Own work), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons (Credit links at the end of the content)
Sometimes, teams come up with ideas that are ahead of their time, only for them to be banned before they ever truly hit the track. One of those examples is the March 751 “Skirting Boards” from the 1975 British Grand Prix.
March 751 “Skirting Boards”
In the past, we have shared many stories like this, ideas that caused a stir in the paddock, were met with doubt, and often divided opinion on the grid.
But what exactly was this one? What was March trying to achieve with the “Skirting Boards”? Did it actually work, and what really happened back in the day?
In the end, it wasn’t just a car trying something new; it was a glimpse of what Formula 1 would soon become, shut down before it ever had a real chance to breathe.
The “Skirting Boards” Concept
March 751 experimental aero device known as the skirting boards; these were rigid vertical pannels attached to the sides of the car’s sidepods.
Their purpose waas simple in theory… but revolutionary in implication, reduce the amount of air escaping from underneath the car.
In modern terms; it was an early attempt at sealing the underfloor.
By limiting airflow leakage, the design aimed to increase low-pressure zones beneath the chassis, effectively creating more downforce without relying on large wings.
At a time when aerodynamics was still relatively primitive in F1, this idea was both hold and borderline disruptive.
Anecdote: Some still questioned those early aerodynamic changes on the car. Even at the end of the 1960s, when Lotus introduced front and rear wings at the 1968 Monaco Grand Prix, many were skeptical. But it didn’t take long for others to follow—almost every team began developing their own prototypes in the next few races. Some designs looked radical, like early McLaren experiments with oversized front and rear wings. Still, this marked the beginning of a new era: the fight against the air itself, all in the search for more speed.
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How It Was Supposed to Work
The logic behind the skirting boards came from basic aero principles… if air could be trapped and controlled under the car, pressure differences would generate stronger grip.
In theory, the March 751’s skirts did exactly that!
During early tests; the car showed increased downforce, especially in medium-sped conrners where stability mattered most… drivers reportedly felt a noticeable difference in how the car ‘stuck’ to the car.
However, the execution was far from perfect; unlike the flexible sliding skirts that would appear later in F1, these were rigid panels, that made them vulnerable on real race circuit.
On bumpy surfaces; the seal would break… even small vertical movement in the suspension could disturb airflow, causing the aero advantage to disappear instantly.
The Short Life and the Ban
The skirting boards never had time to evolve; they appeared at the British GP in 1975, briefly during practice, and immediately triggered concern from rivals.
They argued that the skirts effectively acted as a ‘moveable aerodynamic device’ since they changed their relationship with the ground as the car’s suspension moved.
Others simply claimed they went against the spirit of regulations, which at the time were not yet designed to handle this kind of aerodynamic thinking.
The FIA responded quickly, after only a short appearance in practice, the skirting boards were declared illegal; just like that, the concept was erased before it ever reached a race start.
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The Man Behind the Idea: Robin Herd
The mind behind it was Robin Herd, co-founder of March Engineering.
Herd wasn’t a typical race car designer, before entering F1, he worked on the Concorde supersonic aircraft project; and that aerospace background heavily influenced his thinking.
He often approached racing problems like an aircraft engineer, more focused on airflow behavior rather than traditional mechanical grip alone.
That mindsed led to experiments like the skirting boards.
Did the Idea Actually Work?
It’s really hard to answer, it is complicated because we never saw it racing, but that is what makes the March 751 so fascinating.
Technically, yes, the skirting boards did produce a measurable aerodynamic benefits… when the seal worked properly, downforce increased and the car became more stable; in that narrow sense, the concept was valid.
But in racing terms, it failed; it was inconsistent, and ultimately illegal under interpretation of the rules.
The FIA’s decision ensured it would never be refined or developed further.
The One Race Victory That Defined the Car
Even without its experimental skirts; the March 751 is still remembered for one dramatic moment… at the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix, Vittorio Brambilla delivered one of F1’s most unexpected victories.
In heavy rain at the Austrain GP; chaos unfolded as experienced drivers struggled for control.
Brambilla, known for his aggressive style; managed to navigate the conditions better than most.
As others slipped away, he held on to take his only F1 win.
The most interesting part came at the end, Brambilla famously lost control of the car and crashed into the barriers seconds after victory, he was 37, the oldest man on the grid.
FEATURED IMAGE CREDITS: Photo by Gillfoto (Own work), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
