Chief F1 Fan

Jeezus, talk about FUGLY

F-C

Maybe my expectations were too low, so I don't think it's that bad. Anyway, we've seen three noses so far, McLaren, Williams, and Lotus, and they all have different interpretations. That's what I love about F1.

Chief F1 Fan

It's the nose I loathe-the FIA could have just made the rule to say the nose cone had to culminate on a fixed horizontal surface then the wing wouldn't be an afterthought like it looks here but an integrated piece like it used to be. Something along these lines:

Black Tire

OMG look at that nose!

Chief F1 Fan

looks like a dick

srika

Re: the nose. I'm just kinda staring at my screen, puzzled. lol

and wow look at the difference in front wing compared to the old pic above... so crazy! (I know they've been wild like that for a while - just cool to see them compared in the same thread like this)

Ken1997TL

It honestly looks like it's been in an accident and some new guy with a heat gun tried to 'fix' it.

Chief F1 Fan

video launch of McLaren

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zI4H...ature=youtu.be

West6MT

I like the paint, but the front of the car looks like a bloody elephant trunk.

speedemon90

I just saw the new noses for the first time... WTF

no words.

MEKO

iTrader: (1)

Black front wing combined with tires reminded me of 6 wheel Tyrrell P34 at first sight

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

i love the older design as well but the stupid FIA has stupid regulations...

Chief F1 Fan

as Racing Director http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/insi...t-restructure/

Legend2TL

^ good choice, he's done well at Lotus with limited resources.

Curious if this will be Brawn

andyone

That's the ugliest F1 car ever

F-C

While the unsightly noses on this year's cars have been a topic of much discussion, the rear of McLaren's innovative new MP4-29 has been the talk of the paddock in Jerez this week.

In what has been labeled an 'ingenious trick' by German publication Auto Motor und Sport, the Woking team has mimicked the now-banned wing profiles beneath the main wing with a unique design of their rear suspension.

While the official Formula One website suggested that the design "is considered legal by the FIA", but Auto Motor und Sport suggested in its report that it its legality remains debatable for the time being, at least.

"It will be interesting to see if Charlie Whiting is responsive," the report said.

"If he does not object, the competition will have to catch up quickly."

Since re-designing the entire rear suspension layout is an arduous task, it comes as no surprise that Red Bull's technical wizard believes McLaren's solution is illegal.

"I have not seen the photos," he said, "but as it is described, it sounds as though there are eight suspension elements, where only six are allowed.

"Moreover, there are clear rules for the width of the suspension."

Newey's Ferrari counterpart James Allison stopped short of claiming that the design was illegal, but admitted that he would like to study it closer.

"All I've seen are some blurry pictures," Allison said.

"I would like to know more about it because it does interest me."

According to the Auto Motor und Sport report, though, FIA gave the McLaren "the green light" to continue with their design at some point last season.

fsttyms1

More shots





Ferrari left Mclaren right

F-C

I don't quite understand the concept of this. Are these suspension arms cylindrical?

MEKO

iTrader: (1)

Concept of the rear lower wing?

Nope they are not cylindrical. It's like I don't know how to say it, knife with a fat middle section, sides are thin because of aero
You not asking the suspension setup right? Of course cylindrical if you asking that

fsttyms1

No, look at this one, you can see they are more of a winged element.



I think some of the controversy is that look how far back they are and how they are shaped. There are A arms for the control arms much further forward, they really curved these back and almost appear as more form for aero than function as suspension.

Chief F1 Fan

here ya go: http://www.f1technical.net/development/435

West6MT

Great link , fascinating stuff. Season is looking like it could have a bunch of interesting story lines.

Mugen.Justice

Slightly tweaked nosecone?

Ken1997TL

Looks to be that way.

Are you watching the live data stream from McLaren?

http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/live/

Mugen.Justice

^Yup! Both McLarens in the top five right now.