Tech analysis - The 2012 Formula One 'stepped' nose

In the interest of safety, new regulations have been implemented to limit the height of the nose of 2012 F1 cars. The new rules are designed to minimise the possibility of a car flipping or penetrating the chassis of another car in an accident. It will also have the added benefit of improving visibility for the driver, although the front of the car will still not be in view.

For 2012, the new regulations still allow the height of the front bulkhead to be 625mm above the reference plane but the area in front of this has been limited to just 550mm. The 75mm difference has led to the distinctive 'step' between the two surfaces.

In an attempt to smooth the transition between the nose and the chassis, some teams have adopted the 'V' shaped front end that Red Bull introduced in 2009.

Rules specify a maximum 25mm radius to the edge of the chassis. However, by forming the bulged shoulders the overall cross-sectional area is smaller than the rectangle it would otherwise form.

There is also the possibility of losing the bottom corners of the bulkhead, by having the vertical height in the shoulders, and then develop the underside of the car to maximise airflow underneath the car and between the wheels and the chassis.

Over the past few seasons, McLaren has continued to use a relatively low nose and so the design of the new car has followed the same principal with a more shapely front end - the detachable nose cone is able to sit below the 550mm maximum height without a step between it and the chassis.

McLaren's technical director Paddy Lowe has explained that this approach places the mass of the nose lower and so suits the team’s preferred front suspension set up.

Ferrari, on the other hand, has opted for a very pronounced, flat nose. Designers have pushed the bodywork to the limits of the regulations but have not implemented a ‘V’ shaped bulkhead.

The chassis can sit slightly higher than the McLaren but the rectangular design of the bulkhead and the low, flat nose have given the car its distinctive, awkward front end.
This design, which implements a greater height beneath the nose, allows a greater potential for more air to driven to the leading edge of the sidepods.

However, in contrast to the McLaren, Ferrari has been forced to change its front suspension geometry as the design of the front end has raised issues with the car’s centre of gravity.

Designers have opted for a pull-rod suspension, which places heavy metal rockers and lowered springs. Of course, Ferrari was also one of the teams that planned to use the, now banned, reactive suspension system.

The effectiveness of each approach will become more apparent as the season progresses as it will show the limits to which each team is able to develop their chosen design.

However, once again, it is Red Bull that could have the final say on what may be the best utilisation of the current regulations as the RB8 that was unveiled yesterday (Monday) appears to have adopted a ‘stepped’ front end with a distinctive added element between the two shoulders at the point where the chassis meets the nose.

We will be left slightly in the dark until its purpose becomes more apparent.