McLaren looks set to run a higher nose this weekend in Spain.

Last week, at the very end of the Mugello test, test driver Oliver Turvey debuted a new front wing that featured a conspicuously higher nose tip.

McLaren, the early 2012 frontrunner but having struggled recently in Bahrain, was the only notable team this year to ignore the new design trend for ugly ‘stepped’ front noses, introduced as arguably the best solution to new nose-height safety regulations.

The MP4-27′s new nose does not feature a step element, but the tip is notably higher than its predecessor.

“Nowadays it is quite a critical part of the car, you’re looking to find very small improvements,” team boss Martin Whitmarsh said on Wednesday.

As for whether the new nose will be seen in Barcelona, he confirmed: “You may well see it again, yes.

“There’s a reasonable chance you’ll see it on Sunday.”

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that Barcelona and Valencia will, from next year, alternate a single annual Spanish grand prix race date.

Currently, the two venues have their own places on the formula one calendar.

The Germany-style alternating scheme had been floated as a potential solution also for Spain, given the promoters’ financial struggles, and F1 chief executive Ecclestone’s need to free up calendar space for new races.

“Under the circumstances, especially the current economic climate, the best solution we could find was that we alternate,” Ecclestone told the El Pais newspaper when asked about Spain’s two F1 hosts.

He is unapologetic about the push – mainly at the expense of the sport’s European homeland – into new markets in the Far and Middle East.

“We are a world championship, and that means we have to be all over the planet,” Ecclestone said. “We are not a European championship.

“We should be grateful about how far we can go.”

Martin Whitmarsh has played down fears McLaren has made a crucial mistake by overlooking the ‘step nose’ trend that will dominate the 2012 grid.
With the new Mercedes having now broken cover, and Pedro de la Rosa revealing that HRT’s 2012 car also has a step nose, famous British team McLaren is all alone in keeping a smooth aerodynamic line from the end of the monocoque to the tip of the nose.

Every other team has decided that the best solution to the new rules forcing a lower nose is to plough ahead with having as high a chassis as possible, in order to maximise the flow of air underneath the car.

“I’ve asked our technical guys if they are sure that we have done the right thing and they have told me not to worry,” team boss Whitmarsh is quoted by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

He admitted there is an obvious aerodynamic benefit to the ‘step nose’ solution.

“But we have a lower centre of gravity, more freedom in the suspension geometry, and a more comfortable seating position and a better view for the driver,” added Whitmarsh.

The main reason for McLaren’s decision is that, having already gone a different route to Red Bull at the front of the car last year, a ‘step’ nose would have required a wholesale design philosophy change.

“This car is an evolution,” confirmed Whitmarsh.

“In terms of radical innovations that are visibly obvious, I’ll have to disappoint — these rules just don’t leave that sort of room any more.”

After splitting with Nick Wirth, the next rumour at Virgin is that the struggling team is set to move into the former Arrows and Super Aguri facility in Leafield (UK).
Since entering formula one based on the F3 team Manor, the outfit has been located at Dinnington, but with the crucial technical headquarters at Wirth Research in Banbury.

It is rumoured Leafield has been proposed as the ideal base after the Wirth split by team consultant Pat Symonds.

Symonds is the previously highly-respected engineer who was banned from a direct operational role in F1 following the Renault crashgate scandal two years ago.

Virgin Racing chief executive Graeme Lowdon told the Sheffield Star newspaper: “We are always evaluating our options but we have had no discussions with them (Leafield).

“It is way too early to make any decisions on that. We are reviewing everything and looking at what the best solution is going forwards.”

Although he will not be on the Bahrain grid, Nico Hulkenberg will not be sitting idle in 2011.

The ousted Williams driver is set to drive Force India’s new car on every Friday morning practice this year, and according to Auto Motor und Sport he will also have other duties.

The German publication said the 23-year-old might contest a few rounds of the European Le Mans sports car series, as well as commentating on F1 with the German pay-broadcaster Sky.

Replaced at Williams by pay-driver Pastor Maldonado, Hulkenberg ended his disappointing winter by sampling Force India’s 2010 car at Valencia last week.

But he then had to revert to a spectator’s role that he must now get used to.

“Watching hurts,” confirmed the German. “But the main thing is that I am still here, and hope dies last.”

Hulkenberg’s manager thinks the Force India role was a case of damage limitation.

“It was the best solution possible, after waiting for Williams for so long,” he said.

There had been rumours of a similar reserve driver role with Mercedes.

“There was no contact between Mercedes and me,” clarifies Hulkenberg. “If I’d gone there it would have been harder for me to draw attention to myself as Mercedes already has two very good drivers.”

Auto Motor und Sport said there had been some contact with McLaren, but for now Hulkenberg is satisifed with hopefully following in Paul di Resta’s footsteps by preceding a full race seat with a season of Friday driving with Force India.

“This is my chance and I have to use it,” he insisted.

Team boss Christian Horner confirmed the news to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

“The reason is simple,” he said. “The wing without the F-duct is more efficient (in Hungary).”

The report also said Ferrari is not convinced the F-duct is the best solution for the tight and twisty layout, experimenting with one car not running the downforce-stalling device in morning practice.

Williams’ Rubens Barrichello was surprised when he learned that some teams are not convinced about the F-duct at the Hungaroring.

“For sure we are starting with the F-duct. After that, we’ll see,” he said.

Another talking point in Hungary is the flexible front wings photographed on the Red Bull and Ferrari cars last weekend at Hockenheim.

“I am not saying they are doing something illegal,” McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh is quoted as saying.

“But the fact is that the endplates are touching the ground,” he said, apparently after seeing the slow-motion video captured by FOM of the Red Bull cars in morning practice.

“On the Red Bull, these end plates are even protected with a shield. We can’t imagine how it’s getting that low,” added Whitmarsh.