Thread: New 2012 F1 nose profiles as per new FIA regulations

If anyone else was wondering about this, here's a nice comparative diagram. As per new 2012 regulations the noses have to be 550mm above the reference plane (previously they could be 625mm high). This is to ensure that all parts of the nose are definitely below the height of the cockpit sides in the event of a T-Bone type of crash.

Cool post. cant wait for the season to start up.

Thanks for posting this image. It really should not create any odd aero phenomenon for the engineers to deal with.

If designed right you probably get extra downforce on the front axle through.
It'll be interesting what Red Bull does with the intake in that area. I doubt that it is only to cool the cockpit.

ok i think i'm reading this wrong. previously they could be a max of 625MM, now FIA is enforcing a minimum of 550MM. here's why i'm confused, why do they have to change the front ends?

The nose has a maximum height of 550mm but the monocoque is higher. That's why it's that odly shaped.

At what point are they measuring the height of the nose above the reference plane? It looks like the Red Bull and Toro Rosso noses are actually higher at the tip than the previous car. If the FIA wanted lower noses for safety in a T-Bone side impact then wouldn't they want the tip lower?

usually referance plane would be the ground.

Actually the reference plane is not the ground. It is the plane along the lowest part of the main chassis to which the ride height legality plank is attached.