F1 Technical Specification Discussion Centre

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Overview - 2013 rule changes at a glance




There are some small but important changes to the F1 regulations for 2013. This drawing highlights the key revisions that have been made to the FIA's technical requirements for the new cars…

1) Weight - due to changes in their structure, Pirelli's 2013 tyres are around 2kg heavier per set than in 2012, hence the car's minimum weight limit has been increased by the same amount, from 640 to 642kg. As a consequence, the weight-distribution requirement has also been revised to minimum figures of 292kg:343kg front to rear, leaving teams 7kg to play with.
2)Stepped noses - to mask the step in the car's nose (thought unattractive by many), teams are now allowed to place a non-structural 'vanity panel' over this area, the shape of which is strictly controlled by the regulations.
3) Front wing tests - to prevent them flexing, front wings now face a tougher deflection test, with a 1,000N (100kg) load applied at two different points on both the longitudinal and transverse axes. The amount the wing may deflect has been reduced from 20mm to 10mm.
4) Load and crash tests - more severe load tests for the roll structure have been introduced and the crash test requirements modified.
5) Survival cell - the side load test for the survival cell is more severe too, and it must be applied to all chassis produced by a team, rather than to a single example.
6) DRS - active 'double DRS' systems - where the DRS activation mechanism is utilised for other purposes - are no longer allowed (only passive solutions are now considered legal). Also, DRS usage is now limited to the DRS zones in all sessions (previously it could be used anywhere during free practice and qualifying).

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Technical F1: 2013 nose fairing patterns

In the latest of GPUpdate.net's technical features, nose fairings are the subject of scrutiny. The so-called 'vanity panel' is an optional extra for 2013, with its introduction aimed at removing the unpopular stepped noses seen last season. However, as is explained below, there has been a significant design split up and down the pit lane.

Despite the fact that Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, attempted to discourage teams from exploiting the nose fairing and subsequently gaining an aerodynamic advantage, many bypassed the spirit of the regulations and have developed elegant structures to improve airflow and limit the overall weight penalty of the added panel.

A plethora of concepts have been launched by the teams, with the desired 'stepped nose' removal not coming to fruition. The only outfit on the grid which has not required the addition of a fairing is Marussia, with its low chassis eradicating the necessity.

Ferrari, McLaren, Force India, Toro Rosso and Williams have all followed a conservative pattern with their 2013 nose designs, as shown in the illustration:

This standard concept features a full cover from the stepped point to the nose tip, highlighted in orange.

Sauber has developed a unique “Π” shaped fairing to create a deep channel on the top section of the nose:

This design, which is one of the most stand-out creations in the pit lane this season, separates the air flowing over the top of the nose and at the sides.

Red Bull has developed a 'dwarf' fairing for 2013, limiting its dimensions to the absolute minimum:

The reigning World Champions, whilst taking into account aero efficiency, have focused on keeping the weight of the added panel as low as possible.

At Mercedes, the team has further evolved the arched nose it introduced last season. Instead of being flat at the top, it has an intense arch-shape and a more smooth  bulkhead height transition:

This approach reduces drag by diverting the air-flow above the nose tip and towards the nose sides, while the main flow is channeled smoothly over the bulkhead. The result of this pattern resembles a 'duck' nose.

Finally, Caterham and Lotus have both opted to avoid the weight penalty of adding a nose fairing, instead developing a sculpted chassis on top:

This has formed a smoother airpath in terms of drag. However, Caterham's concept features a deeper and more obvious sculpted area than rivals Lotus.

It is highly possible that teams will modify their designs as the season progresses, whether it be in terms of fine-tuning details or copying rival concepts in their entirety. It is also worth remembering that the fairing, as with all new designs, needs to be studied further, unless the FIA decides to make the regulations even stricter.

Technical analysis conducted by Michalis K. for GPUpdate.net

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