A spectacular nose job it is for McLaren!

McLaren's MCL33 was rumored to have undergone a striking nose job for Barcelona and the changes, visible on Thursday, certainly live up to its expectations.

The Woking-based outfit's engineers designed an elaborated front assembly that includes a trio of ducts, subtle integrated fins running on each side of the nose and an elongated lower plane surface.

Perhaps more than impacting the handling of the MCL33, the radical new aero mod will improve the car's straight-line speed, a major weakness which has pinned down McLaren's drivers this season, especially in qualifying.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.