-Overview

-CFD Simulation Approach

-Research aspects

-What is included in the simulation package 

-Package Costing

-Add Ons

Formula 1 car racing aerodynamics is a highly specialized field where the goal is to maximize performance by managing the airflow around the car to optimize grip, reduce drag, and enhance stability at high speeds. Aerodynamic components like the front and rear wings, floor, and diffusers are critical to how an F1 car behaves on track. In Formula 1, aerodynamics is a fundamental aspect of car performance, affecting speed, stability, and handling. Achieving the right balance between downforce and drag is crucial for maximizing lap times, and teams continuously refine their car designs using CFD, wind tunnels, and real-world testing.

The primary objectives of F1 car aerodynamics are:

• Generate Downforce: This increases the car’s grip on the road, allowing higher cornering speeds and better control, especially through fast corners.
• Minimize Drag:  Reducing aerodynamic drag maximizes the car's straight-line speed and fuel efficiency, crucial for both race performance and fuel management.
• Manage Cooling: Airflow is directed around various components (like the engine, brakes, and electronics) to prevent overheating without compromising aerodynamic efficiency.

- High speed air at inlet is considered for this simulation 

- Localized mesh refinement around car to capture the turbulent and wake regions

- Boundary layers to capture near wall phenomenon

- K-Omega shear stress transport turbulence modelling

- Isothermal steady state operating conditions

F1 cars use various Key components designed to manipulate airflow around the car in a very specific way. 

The design changes of these components can be simulated to investigate the effect on airflow around the car and also drag and Lift forces.

a. Front Wing Design changes

• The front wing is important in guiding air around the rest of the car. It is designed with flaps and endplates that channel air to both the sides of the car and underneath it.
• The angle of the front wing flaps influences the amount of downforce and drag. A higher angle of attack increases downforce but also increases drag, whereas a lower angle reduces drag but offers less downforce.

b. Rear Wing Design changes

• The rear wing is another primary source of downforce, generating significant downward force on the rear axle, ensuring stability, and controlling pitch balance.
• The rear wing’s angle of attack is key to tuning the downforce and drag levels. A more aggressive angle provides more downforce but also increases drag.
• Modern F1 cars use DRS (Drag Reduction System), a movable flap in the rear wing that can be opened to reduce drag, providing a speed boost in specific parts of the track, usually on straights.

c. Sidepods and Cooling Design

• Sidepods are the large, open areas of the car's bodywork on either side of the cockpit. They house the car's cooling systems (for the engine, brakes, and gearbox) and help manage the airflow to prevent overheating.
• Cooling louvres on the sidepods allow hot air to escape, while the shape of the sidepods influences how air moves over and under the car.
• Modern F1 cars have a complex series of cooling ducts and channels, and aerodynamically optimized sidepods play a critical role in balancing cooling requirements with drag reduction.

- 3D cleaned CAD model of the Formula1 car shown in the images

- Ansys Fluent Mesh file

- Step by step procedure for simulation setup and result processing of a baseline case

- Online technical support for any help related to using this package

The package includes the files of a baseline case of the provided CAD model. User can easily change any parameters in the geometry and/or operating conditions to run the simulations for any desired conditions. Assistance will be provided to carry out such simulations.

Add Ons: 

Below are few additional services that can be combined with the above package

1. Online training resources on Geometry preparation, Meshing, Solving & result processing – INR 6000 + GST (18%) 

This will be a structured stepwise and informative material on the above training topics.

2. Case and data files – INR 6,000 + GST (18%)

Contact Us for purchasing this CFD package.