Caterham F1 Team, the rebranded Team Lotus owned by Tony Fernandes, has unveiled its 2012 challenger. The CT01, as it is called, comes with a “platypus-style” nose, which is unusual, but expected to find its way to many other 2012 cars due to new regulations. The team retains its green and yellow theme from the Lotus Racing days.
From these enhanced images, the CT01 appears to be more advanced aerodynamically than its predecessors. Expert F1 eyes also picked out tight-sculpted, low rear bodywork and slim and short sidepods, the latter maximises the low drag effect in that area.
“The regulations have changed to limit the height of the nosebox to try to ensure that noses don’t get too high. Our challenge is that you always want to get the chassis as high as possible to allow clean air flow to the underside of the car, and what you see on the CT01 is our solution to that,” explains tech chief Mike Gascoyne.
“As we’re the first car out it is obviously stirring up a lot of debate, but because of the 2012 regulations I think you’ll probably be seeing this type of nose on most of the cars this year,” the Brit added.
Unlike before, this car isn’t burdened with lofty targets from the start. “I think we need to see the car on track first and get feedback from the first tests. Until we run the car, we only have numbers and simulation data to work with. But every team wants to move up the grid and we’re no different. We finished 10th in the last two years, which has been our target, but now I think it’s time we moved forward again. Let’s see what happens we get out on track,” said Gascoyne.
Moving forward from just being the “best of the new teams” is to be a solid midfield team, and that should be a realistic target for 2012. The CT01 will hit the track at Jerez next month for testing.
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Finally, a REALISTIC target…
What happen to 1 Malaysia.
the 1 Malaysia is now at the front of the car on the nose
The 1Malaysia concept is no longer relevant to TF ambition after forced to consumed bullets by MAHB and Proton retaliation.
1 Malaysia was the initial name for the team in the last two seasons, they were simply borrowing the Lotus Name, Tony Fernandes Bought the Caterham brand, and re-named the F1 outfit.
Looks refreshing…
Well finally TF gets what he wants…own F1 team with own brand…:)
Anyway Danny, did you purposely dropped the word ‘ugly’? Many F1 sites refer to the “platypus-style” nose as the ugly “platypus-style” nose…
I don’t find it that offensive
looks good!!
F1 car are meant to do a job. rather than good looking. Too fast. cant look by the way
The looks: sure can win one.
The question is: can it win?
you must be newbie to F1 world aren’t you?
Yes it may look a little odd, but we only have the regulations to blame for that…
I believe we will finally see some competition ths season
Well, we can see some bodywork resemblances to Red Bull RB7 because Caterham used same drivestrain and gearbox plus KERS form RBR. Keen to see others team interpretation on the new nose regulation. Here Scarbsf1’s analysis on CT01 http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/
Can’t wait for the season to start !
Hope this coming year would bring improvement to Lotus.
Lotus Fa Cai!!!
i’ve always keep a look out for this team during the races even though I support some other team. all the best to Caterham. i believe they can score some points this year.
Just now im gonna support 3 team related to malaysia which is mercedez gp, catherham, and lotus..im gonna buy 3 different shirt..haha..suddenly malaysia quite bigger in F! involvement