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Teams competing in the Formula One racing series have begun to unveil their cars for the 2012 season. But even though each of the vehicles is a unique piece of machinery that cost tens of millions of dollars to build, many have one thing in common: they need rhinoplasty.![lotus f1]()
Changes to the rules this year have forced engineers to lower the front of the cars in an effort to improve safety. The regulations are intended to keep one vehicle from intruding upon the cockpit area of another in the event of a T-bone-type collision.![red bull f1]()
However, instead of creating a smooth, aesthetically-pleasing nosecone, most teams are going with the form follows function approach and using a stepped design that adheres to the new rules while retaining the optimized packaging and aerodynamics of last year’s cars.![force india f1]()
More than one team designer has admitted that the look is ungainly, at best, but in the world of modern F1, where even thousandths of a second can mean the difference between victory and also-ran status, looks just aren’t that important.![mclaren f1]()
So far, the only top level team to go with a more traditional design is Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, who's drivers are 2008 and 2009 champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Does it know something the other teams don't? We'll have to wait until the season kicks off in Australia on March 18th.Race cars that need a nose job
Things are going to get ugly in Formula One this year.
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- Race cars that need a nose job
