[italertb]

Considering that we had to get used to 2009 cars/regulations, which were completely different compared to what we had before, I think we can adapt to anything now.
This nose section may look slightly strange at first glance, but generally I'm completely fine with the car.

Completely agree with that. It's different but that doesn't mean it's ugly. I thought the 2009 cars were ugly at first, but like everything else that goes fast you eventually come to love it!

[adesseridopaw]

Not the prettiest F1 car I have ever seen but its what the regs are demanding. Its been rumoured we'll see some ugly designs this year and the Caterham is certainly one of those. I expect this years McLaren to be pretty ugly, but as with every year, we just get used to it and don't notice it after a couple of races.

Considering that we had to get used to 2009 cars/regulations, which were completely different compared to what we had before, I think we can adapt to anything now.

Yep

[Wgnhqhlg]

Completely agree with that. It's different but that doesn't mean it's ugly. I thought the 2009 cars were ugly at first, but like everything else that goes fast you eventually come to love it!

Absolutely, here's a clearer view of it



Personally I think despite the regulations, It looks OK, any ugliness in terms of design in my view is evened out by that livery which has been my personal favourite over the last 3 years, so im glad they decided to keep it when they dropped the Lotus name

[Pa33anger]

I like it cos its got a yellow stripe and its green and black and white and I like it 'cos its nice and i like it.

[Kghyutgykim]

All it needs is some eyes and teeth, maybe some subtle scale-like detail under the paint. That would be cool as!

[DuePew]

Makes the Dallara DW12 IndyCar look like a modern art masterpiece.

[HootSnori]

I have been reading on the BBC F1 website about the stepped nose designs that are expected this year and I don't understand why they have to be like that.

Why can't they simply have a smooth transitional slope from the 'peak' of the step to the front of the nose? I'm sure there's a good reason, but I can't imagine what it might be. My limited knowledge on this subject suggests to me that the step would impede airflow far more readily than a smooth slope that we are used to seeing on F1 nose sections.

Can anyone who knows about such things enlighten me as to why the step is needed, or what makes in an advantage over having a smooth slope to the nose?

[U2DnBGFE]

Can anyone who knows about such things enlighten me as to why the step is needed, or what makes in an advantage over having a smooth slope to the nose?

Maybe the whole nose cone forward of the suspension mounting points has the be lower and not just the front of the nose?

[MattJargin]

According to Pat Symonds on the Motorsport Magazine January podcast it is because the FIA have kept the existing front bulkhead specification (including size and height above the ground) but the teams want the front end to be lower, so all the cars will look like a platypus

Looks stupid to me

WT

[HootSnori]

RS and WT,

It seems odd that they would specify the nose cone having to be lower than the bulkhead in its entirety, if indeed that is the case. I can't imagine what technical reason there would be for that to be the case, unless the specific requirement was to force the teams to spoil the appearance of their cars.

I still can't see why they aren't able to simply smooth out the point from the top of the step to the front of the nose.

[Klorissana]

BBC Sport - Caterham target points with new F1 car
Gascoyne said: "The rules for the lower noses have dictated a development direction and I'm sure we won't be the worst-looking one out there. I think it's going to be a common theme.

"They [F1 officials] want to limit the heights of noses for the shunts when a car hits another car's tyre and (risks) taking off.

[MattJargin]

RS and WT,

It seems odd that they would specify the nose cone having to be lower than the bulkhead in its entirety, if indeed that is the case. I can't imagine what technical reason there would be for that to be the case, unless the specific requirement was to force the teams to spoil the appearance of their cars.

I still can't see why they aren't able to simply smooth out the point from the top of the step to the front of the nose.

Sorry, yes I forgot the bit that the FIA have lowered the nose to help prevent a car getting airborne if it hits the rear of the car in front, but with the front bulkhead still in the same place as before. There must be some reason for having the step in the rules as simple aerodynamics would suggest a smooth tapering to reduce drag if nothing else

Still looks a mess

WT

[U2DnBGFE]

RS and WT,

It seems odd that they would specify the nose cone having to be lower than the bulkhead in its entirety, if indeed that is the case. I can't imagine what technical reason there would be for that to be the case, unless the specific requirement was to force the teams to spoil the appearance of their cars.

I still can't see why they aren't able to simply smooth out the point from the top of the step to the front of the nose.

I agree that a smooth transition to a lower nose would look nicer.

[12dargernswearf]

Craig Scarborough has some nice diagrams of what the measurements have to be now:
F1 2012: Rules, Designs and Trends | Scarbsf1's Blog

[HootSnori]

That's a very interesting link, thanks!

So, it seems that the stepped nose has developed that way because of what hasn't been specified as well as what has.

I presume because there was no stated requirement for a straight line between the top corners of the bulkhead, they have created the slope in a recess between those corners. If that's the case then I can understand that, but it still doesn't explain the step at those bulkhead corners and why they didn't blend the two vanes into a gradual slope towards the nose.

[MattJargin]

Craig Scarborough has some nice diagrams of what the measurements have to be now:
F1 2012: Rules, Designs and Trends | Scarbsf1's Blog

Thanks for the link - something to keep a good eye on in the coming weeks

WT

[Loonerisav]

I actually quite like the look of the car, but it will suddenly turn beautiful if it scores a point.

[Loonerisav]

Bring on the next launch date...

[Sleflanna]

wow, there has to be a more pleasing way to comply with those regulations.

[GinaGomesz]

The best picture on the internet yet of Giorgio Piola's picture reflecting leaked details of the new Ferrari http://bit.ly/z3V9jo

@andrewbensonf1