F1: No 'Step' On New Marussia Car's Nose

Formula 1

F1: No ‘Step’ On New Marussia Car’s Nose

The new Marussia car will differ drastically in appearance from most other teams' 2012 cars...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted February 24, 2012 GMM Newswire

Timo Glock has already driven the new step-less Marussia in the McLaren simulator. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Marussia's new car for 2012 does not feature a step on its front nose.

Every team on the 2012 grid, including HRT which is yet to release its 2012 car, responded to the FIA's new height regulations by designing an awkward 'step' between the monocoque and the tip of the nose.

The one exception, until now, was McLaren.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that the 2012 Marussia, which will be seen for the first time in Barcelona next week, also has a clean aerodynamic line at the front.

The former Virgin team works closely with McLaren, including using the famous British team's test rigs and wind tunnel.

"In fact, there was little difference in theory between the two solutions. So why take risks with something that we do not know?" a Marussia team source is quoted as saying.

Timo Glock has already driven the new step-less Marussia in the McLaren simulator.

"We don't have too much experience with the simulator so we hope that it's right, but we will not be too optimistic. That's not to say that I'm disappointed," said the German driver.

"I think we have a good base to build upon," added Glock.

"We have been focusing for a long time on finding the errors with the previous car and getting over them," he is quoted by Speed Week magazine.