F1 launches commenced today

Jon notbutton · Single-Seater Rookie Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Posts: 117

Well Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said that he didn't care if this years Ferarri was UGLY as long as it was fast (or something along those lines).

If ugly did in fact = fast then the new Caterham will be tough to beat because boy it isn't pretty. With that said, most ugly cars are not that fast and the beautiful Red Bulls have been very quick.

So, are we about to see a delluge of ugly cars?

F One · F1 Driver Joined: 19 Sep 2004 Posts: 978 Location: UK

I hope it's slow as hell as a punishment for how tremendously ugly it is. Shocked

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bewildered_jim · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 19:34 Post subject:

We're all smart enough to know that there obviously won't be a one-to-one causal correlation between an ungly car and speed...but I can't think of any properly ugly top cars of the last few years. Not to say the converse - attractive cars being fast, has any merit!

It's grounded in gut feeling but my expectations for Ferrari in particular in 2012 weren't helped by finding out its car was ugly. I remember just before 2009 kicked off, Mark Webber saying that while it counted for nothing, the RB5 was certainly the best looking. *Shrug*
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White Lightning · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 19:52 Post subject:

Wow...I must be in a minority of one because I think it's gorgeous! It looks aggressive in profile and I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like head-on.

One worry is the nose - the FIA forcibly lowered noses to prevent flips like Webber's, but the Caterham's looks very high. I'd hate to see it in a T-bone accident.

F One · F1 Driver Joined: 19 Sep 2004 Posts: 978 Location: UK

You'll change your mind once you see it from the front. Shocked

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Anfield5 · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 20:16 Post subject:

Ugh.... From the front it looks like the designers havn't quite managed to make the nosecone fit to the chassis properly. It has a wierd looking step up between the suspension bubbles. I understand that this is because the height of the front bulkhead is the same as last year, while the height of the nose has to be 70mm lower, but god it looks ugly

Last year's McLaren will take a bit of beating in the ugly car stakes, but this is a sterling effort from the Caterham outfit
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Jon notbutton · Single-Seater Rookie Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Posts: 117

Oops. Did I start something! Wink

Actually the nose was so ugly I barely looked at the rest of the car. I cannot see how that stepped profile is aerodynamic but I don't have any access to wind tunnel data so who knows.

I actually wish Caterham all the best but I was hoping their car would not look so darned ugly.

With that said, I liked last years Mclaren so beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Mekola (NK) · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 22:49 Post subject:

Wonder if other 2012 F1 cars would have noses like Caterham one...
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Podge 90 · F2 Racer Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 494

Not that it was particularly successful, but I've always liked the walrus-nosed BMW Williams FW26 of 2004 Embarassed

It was so ugly it was almost beautiful. Reminded me of Predator. Had a poster of it actually, thinking about it.

But ye, that Caterham nose/protusion is pretty chunder-inducing.

Jon notbutton · Single-Seater Rookie Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Posts: 117

I almost listed the Williams Walrus to illustrate my point that ugly is rarely fast but I figured that would not be fair (plenty of other ugly cars) and I am sure someone will mention an ugly car that WAS successful but I cannot think of any.

Interesting digretion I suppose, you liked the Walrus and someone else disliked last years Mclaren.

I think many people would agree on what is ugly but there will always be some differences of opinion.

I guess, to paraphrase The Fast Show's "Swiss Tony", "An F1 car is a lot like a beautiful woman and that Caterham has a very odd looking nose". I guess a paper bag might help! Wink

bewildered_jim · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 11:08 Post subject:

johnoneill2006 · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 13:56 Post subject:

I remember the launch of the 1995 McLaren with the wing on the engine cover...

God that must be a candidate for one of the worst looking cars in the past 20 years. And Mansell made a comment that was supposed to be positive at the launch along the lines of "Well, I'm sure everyone will agree that if it goes as well as it looks...".

Anfield5 · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 19:54 Post subject:

Podge 90 · F2 Racer Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 494

MatCoch · F3 Racer Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 205

It took time, but Alain Prost has finally lost the mantle of worst nose in F1.

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