Official 2012 Formula One Discussion Thread
Evolved Member
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From: Rhode Island
Stepped nose vs Not
3:1 so far (http://www.yallaf1.com/category/top-stories/)...question is what will Merc and RB have? But this from McLaren's Lowe:"Yes, there was a regulation change around the front end this year to limit the height of the nose and the forward part of the chassis," he said, "We've produced an arrangement which meets that regulation but, at the same time, follows some of the philosophy that we've carried over from last year, hence the line is similar in appearance. We haven't pursued the route that Red Bull took. It's a matter of your philosophy and the different trades you make. You know, you can't see performance necessarily by eye, it's a matter of fine-tuning the balance between all the relevant aspect." Bottom Line: the stepped nose is one way to meet the reg but not the only one as McLaren has demonstrated...we shall see if it, along with all the other tweeks, results in the fastest car.
Later, Ken
Later, Ken
3:1 so far (http://www.yallaf1.com/category/top-stories/)...question is what will Merc and RB have? But this from McLaren's Lowe:"Yes, there was a regulation change around the front end this year to limit the height of the nose and the forward part of the chassis," he said, "We've produced an arrangement which meets that regulation but, at the same time, follows some of the philosophy that we've carried over from last year, hence the line is similar in appearance. We haven't pursued the route that Red Bull took. It's a matter of your philosophy and the different trades you make. You know, you can't see performance necessarily by eye, it's a matter of fine-tuning the balance between all the relevant aspect." Bottom Line: the stepped nose is one way to meet the reg but not the only one as McLaren has demonstrated...we shall see if it, along with all the other tweeks, results in the fastest car.
Later, Ken
Later, Ken
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From: 10,000 frozen lakes
Well, Ferrari debuted their car and yes, it is as ugly as the Caterham. I hate it every time that frickin' FIA sticks its nose into F1 and comes up with ridiculous rules. Looks like 2012 will be a contest between beauty and the beast. Anyway here is Ferrari's 2012 challenger:
http://singleseater2012.ferrari.com/index_web.html
http://singleseater2012.ferrari.com/index_web.html
the Ferrari is a true step noise, where as the other are just little bulge at the suspension mount. i guess that adds a little more down force to the front noise cause it acts as a wing. but it will disrupt air flow to the back of the car where clean air is even more important.
i don't mind that FIA made the rule change if its for safety purpose. and it force the teams to be innovative as they try to work around new rules. i'm sure ferrari will change the noise if it proves to be a less effective design.
i don't mind that FIA made the rule change if its for safety purpose. and it force the teams to be innovative as they try to work around new rules. i'm sure ferrari will change the noise if it proves to be a less effective design.
I think the 'Platypus' style nose is less offensive than what we were seeing a few years ago with the gazillion winglets attached to various areas of the car.
l8r)
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From: 10,000 frozen lakes
^ F1 has been pretty safe for quite some time. It is not like the 2011 cars were death traps. If you think that the step nose is not so bad, what can I say about your taste in cars? Apparently, you have not been on any of the major F1 sites as probably 90% of the people are saying that the nose on the Caterham and Ferrari are just plain butt ugly. And, why is it that McLaren was able to design a car with elegance meeting the same rules? The good news is that in 2014, there will be changes made that will probably eliminate the drop nose.
As for some of the cars with all their fences, winglets and spoilers, that was probably the height of ugliness. Honda was probably the worst, but there were others as well. Call me old fashioned, but I yearn for the day when cars were cleanly designed like the Lotus 49...
As for some of the cars with all their fences, winglets and spoilers, that was probably the height of ugliness. Honda was probably the worst, but there were others as well. Call me old fashioned, but I yearn for the day when cars were cleanly designed like the Lotus 49...
Hey, I didn't say that the platypus nose was the height of fashion, but some cars last year were already leaning towards a similar look, what with the two horns on top of the nose. It'll certainly be interesting to see what RB and Merc will look like. Of the Platypi, the FI is the least offensive so far, IMO.
l8r)
l8r)
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From: 10,000 frozen lakes
^ Agreed. Somehow I feel that Red Bull and Mercedes will be similar to McLaren, but we will have to wait and see. And, I am not against increased driver protection at all. Making the cars safer is always a good thing. It is just that the step/drop nose is so dang ugly...
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From: Rhode Island
I'm intriqued by Lowe's statement. How does he know what route RBR took when they haven't displayed their new car yet? Assumption maybe, or did RBR call up McLaren at some point, and say, hey are you guys doing this ugly stepped nose thing too? Or something like that. I've also noticed that everyone is running the front wing pylons just about as wide as can be on the nose without flaring them out. Any ideas why? I just don't remember everyone running wide pylons like that before. Always seemed to be more of a variety.
Later, Ken
. they don't want to release the real nose yet because other teams might copy it. they be sneaky like that. lol