Experimental Lotus 2015 F1 Car Nose Revealed

Lotus has revealed their experimental wedge-shaped nose that will be used during practice runs during Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.

Although its one-of-a-kind twin-tusk design will not comply under F1 regulations, the Lotus team has decided to use it to compare wind tunnel data with real world data.

It was such designs that led FIA regulations to revise 2015 rules and eliminate such ugly looking components.

According to the new rules, teams can run longer wedge-shaped noses, so Lotus will run this wedge-shaped nose during the practice runs to understand the impact on the airflow around the car.

The new nose is very different in terms of looks and design as well. It is short, ending just behind the front-wing section. This makes a very low and wide tip.

In front of the nose tip are two forward facing front-wing mounts. These are are actually clamps to mount the nose to the existing front wing, and has nothing to do with performance.

It is the new nose's under-section that hints a clue about the possible 2015 design. The surface tapers down behind the front wing before angling back up to the front of the chassis.

This helps create low pressure at the bottom of the nose to help generate some extra downforce.

The nose was required to take a crash test before it was allowed to be taken out to the track.

This design so far does not appear to be legal under the 2015 rules, because it's too short and does not have the right pair of regulatory cross sections near the tip.

Infact, this does not prevent it from being a useful way for Lotus to gather data, which might help design work on the Mercedes-powered E23 F1 car.