Will Tyson sums it up very well here - [
richlandf1.com]
"The Lotus design has two complete crash structures: each prong is made up of a carbon-aluminium honeycomb composite that can withstand the forces applied to it during the FIA crash tests.
"In the regulations, the FIA mandate a single, 9000mm2 cross sectional area, complete with a 50mm length tip that must be centred around 185mm above the reference plane. These two numerical values state the requirements for the nose structure.
"Lotus have successfully skirted around this regulation by creating an off-centred “tusk” that meets the regulations on the right side, with a shorter tusk added on the left. As the left tusk is shorter, possibly by around 50mm (the length of the tip), it is not deemed to be part of the regulation that outlines the nose requirements – it is merely an extension."
Races: 163 - Wins: 23 - Pole Positions: 24 - Fastest Laps: 22
Season 9: Constructors' Champions