The 2015 Formula One season is almost upon us, we are days away from the first car launches and pre-season testing. What has brought much confusion is the 2015 nose design. As we saw in 2014, several teams introduced the “finger nose”, which is an extension mounted on the front of the nose cone and blended into the chassis. This was a popular approach because teams were able to keep the high tub line with the finger extension to meet the regulations.
That design is now banned as is the twin tusks we saw on the E22 Lotus. What teams will have now is to change their designs and introduce a long swooping nose coming down and past the front wing. This is because teams have to meet the homologated crash structure regulations. With the small “thumb” being added so that the front nose complies with the FIA measurements.
As seen in the drawing stated in yellow teams will have a triangle front tip on the now which is the best solution, is aerodynamically efficient but the structure inside is also easier to be fixed and manufactured thus it will be popular design.
Points that matter:
In article 15.4.3 it clearly states that no part of the structure may lie more that 525mm above the reference plane. And its forward most point no less that 850mm forward of the front wheel centre line.
It must have a single vertical cross-section perpendicular to the cars centre line of more than 9000mm (squared) at a 50mm behind its forward-most point. No part of the cross-section may lie less than 135mm above the reference plane with overall width confined into 140mm.
A single external vertical cross-section must be perpendicular to the car’s centre line, of more than 2000mm (squared) at 150mm behinds its most forward point. Furthermore the overall width of the cross-section must not exceed 330mm.
When measuring these sections, only parts between the highest point and 100mm vertically below thus point.
Each external vertical cross-section taken perpendicular to the car’s centre line between points 150mm of which is behind the forward-most point of the actual structure and 150mm forward of the front wheel centre line, must be a single section with area which exceeds a value given by linear taper from 20000mm (squared) to 60000mm (squared)
Meanwhile all lines drawn normally and externally to a vertical cross-section taken 150mm ahead of the front wheel centre line and perpendicular to car’s actual centre line. Of which must not exceed vertical longitudinal plane lying on the car’s centre line.
All of this yet again is the make the car’s safer if a T-Boning accident occurs. As the nose is longer it will take up more energy on impact and destitute it evenly up the nose and it brakes. With the small “thumb” to meet the FI1 rules this is mandatory is 2015.
