Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis
Tech insight: The caped crusaders of the F1 paddock
The under-nose ‘cape’ is now less of a trend and more of a staple of Formula 1 car design in 2019. With Alfa Romeo recently joining the growing stable of teams to run the aerodynamic appendage – that takes the tally to over half of the grid.
It’s not exactly a new idea, just a reimagining of a device we’ve seen before, with the previous incarnation rising to prominence with Williams in 2009 and McLaren in 2010 (illustrated below, click on the arrows to scroll between them).
The then-named ‘snowplough’ device looked to maximise flow performance from the high nose solution that the prevailing regulations permitted.
Williams FW32 nose (right) compared with FW31 (left)
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
McLaren MP4-25 nose
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Mercedes takes the "Super Ted" route
It was Mercedes, in 2017, that then reimagined this solution, with members of the team reportedly naming it “Super Ted’s cape” given its similarity to the childhood TV character when viewed from beneath.
With the narrowest nose on the grid, the team has been able to stretch the device out and utilise an airflow defining profile either side of the main structure in order to capture and nurture the airflow that passes by.
Here's how the concept was revisited and refined by Mercedes in 2017...
Mercedes W08 nose duct, Russian GP
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Mercedes W08 nose duct, Spanish GP
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Mercedes W08 narrow nose, Spanish GP
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Evolution of the Mercedes W08 nose in 2017
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Williams and McLaren join the club in 2018
Williams FW41 layout
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Williams FW42
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
McLaren MCL33 front wing Monaco GP
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
McLaren MCL33 front wing Spanish GP
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
The 2019 bandwagon jumpers
Racing Point RP19 nose
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Renault F1 Team R.S.19 front nose
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Alfa Romeo Racing C38, front wing and nose
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo Racing C38
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
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About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Matthew Somerfield |
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