Beyond the Flag
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Formula 1: 3 times rule changes created ugly cars

By Benjamin Kuhl

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 25: Michael Schumacher of Germany and Mercedes GP drives in his last race during the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 25, 2012 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 25: Michael Schumacher of Germany and Mercedes GP drives in his last race during the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 25, 2012 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 25: Felipe Massa of Brazil and Ferrari (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 25: Felipe Massa of Brazil and Ferrari (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Nose problems of 2012

If it seems like no Formula 1 designers in their right mind would create something so odd as a stepped nose on purpose, you would be right. Prior to the 2012 season, Formula 1 teams were permitted a nose height of 62.5 centimeters (24.6 inches).

This was believed to be the same for the 2012 season when, before the season began, the FIA determined that the new maximum nose height would be set at 55 centimeters (21.7 inches), 150 millimeters ahead of the front bulkhead.

The reasoning behind the elevated bulkhead and lowered nose was not abnormal. The FIA mandated these heights in an effort to better encapsulate the driver’s head. The raised bulkhead and cockpit surround did that successfully, as less of the driver’s head was exposed.

McLaren and Marussia were able to avoid the visual crime of the stepped nose, but the rest of the field had the engineering theory of updating the 2011 car with the changes for 2012. Teams such as Mercedes and Red Bull Racing attempted to give some styling cues to the awkward step while Ferrari simply dropped the nose to the regulated height.

Regardless of the team, the combination of stepped nose and narrow wing created cars that looked hastily put together and downright offensive. The visual crime was mostly solved for the 2013 season, as teams had a full offseason to address the two-step out-of-place nose. Only Red Bull Racing, Lotus and the woeful Caterham team ran the stepped nose for the 2013 season.

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