BETTER LATE THAN NEVER…
What was Romain Grosjean’s parting gift for his final race with Lotus? The Enstone outfit tested a new, slightly shorter nosecone at Abu Dhabi. In order to comply with the technical regulations, the updated design also featured a small appendage like the Williams, Red Bull, and McLaren thumb noses.
Since the front wing’s mounting points were identical, one could believe the change to be only cosmetic but it was reported that the update required a costly passing through the FIA-standard crash-tests.
What really caught the eye was the lower part of the new design, which is protruding in a manner similar to a pelican’s beak. By creating a low-pressure area, this shape helps generate more downforce.
The MP4-X: McLaren unveils radical F1 concept car design
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