Geoff Willis: Williams nose is nothing new

Geoff talks FW26
By Phil Huff (09/01/2004)
January 9 2004

Lucky Strike BAR Honda's technical director Geoffrey Willis has said that Williams' distinctive nose treatment is nothing new, and that the concept was looked at a number of years ago.

"We had that idea a few years ago," Geoffrey told Autosport, "but we didn't think it was worthwhile pursuing it because the merits of such a design were so small. Earlier last year I heard that Williams were looking at it and maybe they have found something because obviously they have state of the art facilities over there."

The new Williams FW26 features a very short nosecone, with the front wing pushed forward through the use of distinctive 'tusks'. It's the view of BAR-Talk that this set up is designed to recover lost downforce while following another car, but has other benefits.

Willis, who was the chief aerodynamicist at Williams, said the concept was rejected due to problems with weight distribution. Because the nose is shorter, it must comprise of more carbon fibre in order to strengthen the structure. If it didn't, it wouldn't pass the mandatory crash test.

Willis also took time to reveal that the 2004 BAR challenger will feature a traditional thin nose design, describing it as "very sleek".

"This year our car carries the lines I have always wanted my cars to have. It's more curvaceous than last year's," said Willis. Perhaps getting carried away, he added "It looks just like a sexy lady."

Quite.