Red Bull has modified the nose of its Formula 1 car
Following the instructions of the FOM, Red Bull had to modify the compliant nose of its F1 in order to install cameras that meet Bernie Ecclestone's commercial requirements.
By designing the 2014 Red Bull, Adrian Newey bypassed the regulations to avoid adding winglets containing cameras on the RB10, as seen on other cars.
Instead, an opening has been drawn in the hood originally used to conceal the unsightly steps that sparked controversy in 2012 and 2013. This opening can be distinguished at the small step that remains on the nose of the Red Bull car.
The trick lies in the fact that the regulation simply states that camera mounts must not be fixed on the carbon structure of the chassis, which is the case with this decorative panel, better known as the vanity panel.
However, even though this trick is legal from a strictly regulatory point of view, Auto Motor Und Sport reveals that it is not to Bernie Ecclestone’s liking.
With this system, FOM, the holder of Formula 1 rights and led by the English octogenarian, cannot film towards the rear of the RB10. It is also not satisfied with the footage filmed towards the front of the Red Bull single-seater.
Already, before the Barcelona Grand Prix, following orders from the FOM, the Milton Keynes team had slightly modified the “nose” of its car. But the solution adopted then still did not satisfy Bernie Ecclestone.
That is why, starting this weekend in Monaco, the RB10s will feature the same appendages as their competitors.
