Red Bull RB8 - nose duct 24 February 2012
Like Sauber, Red Bull have seemingly been inspired by the 2008-spec Ferrari, which featured a vent on its chassis to improve aero balance. In line with current FIA regulations (holes in the nose's lower section were outlawed after 2008), Sauber's solution appears on the top of the C31's chassis, behind the car's stepped nose. Red Bull, however, have opted for a different solution with their chassis duct positioned at the step itself (yellow highlight). This opening allows air to flow into the chassis (blue arrows). The official line is that this has been designed to help cool the driver in the cockpit, but it's possible there could be an aerodynamic advantage, or that it could help cool the front suspension's inerter damper.
