McLaren set to race new higher nose in Spain

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."