A few days back we took a short look at the only image released on the HRT F112 and there was no stepped nose. Now all information confirms that the Marussia’s new car for 2012 does not feature a ‘step’ on its front nose as well.
Every team on the 2012 grid responded to the FIA’s new height regulations by designing an awkward ‘step’ between the monocoque and the tip of the nose. The one exception, until now, was McLaren. But Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that the 2012 Marussia, which will be seen for the first time in Barcelona next week, also has a clean aerodynamic line at the front.
The former Virgin team works closely with McLaren, including using the famous British team’s test rigs and wind tunnel. A Marussia team source has been quoted as saying:
“In fact, there was little difference in theory between the two solutions. So why take risks with something that we do not know?”
Timo Glock has already driven the new step-less Marussia in the McLaren simulator. According to Speed Week magazine, the German driver had this to say:
“We don’t have too much experience with the simulator so we hope that it’s right, but we will not be too optimistic — that’s not to say that I’m disappointed, I think we have a good base to build upon. We have been focusing for a long time on finding the errors with the previous car and getting over them.”
Info: CMM, Image: © Sutton Images
