AERODYNAMICS and downforce has always been the name of the game in Formula One with teams pushing the limits of performance looking to extract every millisecond from their mighty machines. Some went a bit too far… here are ten of the best (or worst).
- Lotus E22, 2014
Lotus F1 decided to go a different route when the new aerodynamic regulations for the 2014 season stipulated the nose tip must be 365mm lower than the year previous. The rule itself was introduced to prevent cars from launching into the air in a collision. Unfortunately it ended up looking like that…
2. Williams FW26, 2004
The big brother of the Lotus came a decade before, a design dubbed the ‘walrus nose’ took the start line down under in 2004. The brainchild of Patrick Head, one of the most decorated designers of all time, was actually a success unlike many of the others on this list. It is the only one that took a win, coming in the season finale at Brazil. Taking Juan Pablo Montoya to a fifth place finish in the 04’ Drivers Championship.
3. Ensign N179, 1979
The somewhat less successful Ensign team debuted a bold new look for the 1979 season, dubbed “the grater” for it’s incredible resemblance to something you’d use for shredding cheese. The nose itself was designed with the radiators attached to it to help cooling and airflow, it did not work.
4. Arrows A22, 2001
Debuted in Monaco 2001, a miniature wing was attached to the front of Jos Verstappen’s Arrows car in the search for more downforce. The boffins at the FIA didn’t see eye to eye with the orange squad however, banning it before it could even be raced, despite not technically breaking any rules.
5. Toro Rosso STR9, 2014
I’m unsure whether I should be blurring this picture or not… The 2014 technical regulations truly led to some shocking designs, perhaps the most jaw dropping of which being the Toro Rosso STR14. The nose cone’s phallic design drew complaints from many spectators citing it as a major eye-sore, leading it to be promptly replaced the following year having taken Daniil Kvyat and Jean Eric-Vergne to a seventh place championship result.
6. Tyrell 026, 1997
Known as X-wings, the struggling Tyrell team went to extraordinary lengths in search for performance. Leading to a development war where teams would place winglets high and wide of the car’s body to capture airflow in the freestream. With teams such as Ferrari and Sauber following suit, the FIA felt things risked getting out of control so outlawed them.
7. March 711, 1971
All I can say is what on earth is that? It looks like a surf board on top of a bath tub!
8. McLaren 97C, 1969
I can’t tell how this ever passed technical inspection, it’s like the designer had left over material so just threw it on the front too. It was banned come the 1969 Monaco Grand Prix, before being reintroduced a year later.
9. Ferrari 126C2, 1982
Ever the Traditionalists, few would expect Ferrari to jump on the trend of wacky wings. But jump on the trend they did for the 1982 Detroit Grand Prix as they came to the conclusion that two is better than one. Unfortunately for them, in true Ferrari fashion their interpretation of the rules resulted in disqualification for Giles Villeneuve from third place, as it was deemed their rear wing (or two) was illegal.
10. March 751, 1975.
That is just gopping.
