F1-Blog

The striking, yet ugly aero additions to the nose of BMW Sauber car that we saw at the last race are to be banned.

A statement issued by the FIA says :

In view of recent developments to bodywork forward of the cockpit opening on some cars, we have become concerned that these devices may impair the forward and/or lateral vision of the driver.

Therefore, under Article 2.3 of the F1 Technical Regulations, unless any team concerned can clearly demonstrate to the satisfaction of the technical delegate and the stewards that their driver's vision is not impaired in any way by such devices, no bodywork higher than the top of the front roll structure will be permitted forward of it."

BMW's man at the top Mario Theissen commented on the statement saying :

The vertical wings obviously presented a new aero solution within the rules," he said. "We, however, respect the FIA's decision to ban such elements. The knowledge we gained from this will be included in our future development programmes."

So does that mean that the BMW Sauber team have another generation of this sollution that will not be as gairish, or some other way to direct the airflow that does not rely on these towers.

At least all the other teams now know not to waist rescources on testing and developing there own variants of the devices.