Formula 1 Aerodynamics

Formula 1 constructors spend hundreds of million dollars on the performance of the cars. However, we rarely get to see what that means for the car. We can see the development in the cars in terms of speeds and lap times, however, it has always been difficult to understand or to imagine the importance of aerodynamic components for the fans, until the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix.

Turkish Grand Prix returned to the F1 calendar first time since 2011 at the Istanbul Park Circuit. An exciting Grand Prix saw F1 drivers struggle to control the cars on the newly resurfaced track and extreme weather conditions did not help either. However, these circumstances gave the fans an unpredictable Grand Prix they wanted and an insight on how difficult the F1 cars are to drive.

But that’s not all, if you have followed F1 in the recent years, you must have come across terms like aerodynamics, air flow, side pods, winglets, vortices etc. We also hear commentators mention the updates in the aero department of the cars and performance of the cars dropping after some damage to it. 

F1 cars are some of the most sophisticated pieces of engineering in motorsports. And aerodynamics plays a huge role in it. F1 cars are very light when you consider the power that is being produced by the engines and the speeds the cars achieve. To achieve maximum speeds F1 cars also have a streamline profile. Now for these light weight, powerful, and streamline cars to not just fly off the ground while going as fast as possible, F1 engineers manipulate the air flow around the cars using wings and other aero components.

A Formula 1 car has 10s may be 100s of aero components on it. Components can come in various shapes and sizes and can be cluttered together or placed strategically in specific places on the car. These components work individually and in sync with the other aero components on the car. They not only manipulate the air around the car, but also create downforce to keep the car planted on the ground while going 350 km/hr. Two of the main components in creating downforce are the front and rear wings. When the car is travelling at high speeds, air flow comes in contact with the wings creating downforce. Downforce allows the wheels to have enough traction to utilise the power generated by the engine and go as fast as possible. However, creating downforce is not enough for achieving the maximum potential of the car. The air flow that meets the front wing travels through and around the body work of the car, therefore it must be manipulated efficiently to create a smooth passage for the car.  

Wings on the Formula 1 cars work with the same principles as the wings on a plane, just the other way around. Wings on a plane create a low air pressure area above the wing to create lift, Formula 1 wings create low air pressure area below the wings to create downforce. However, while wings on a plane are on the either sides, wings on a F1 car are on the front and rear of the car. Therefore, turbulent air flow that passes over the front wing must be manipulated and guided along the car with other aero components. These components can be as small as your finger and can be difficult to notice while watching a race on TV. However, every little component has its specific place in guiding the turbulent air flow smoothly around the car and not affect the performance of the car.

Moreover, Air flow is also quite important for keeping the engines cool and also has to reach the rear wing as only rear tyres drive the car forward. Furthermore, just cutting through the air flow creates a low-pressure area behind the car creating drag and reducing the speed. To make sure air flow that meets the front wing and travels towards the rear wing, aero components that create vortices are also placed strategically on the car.  Vortices help the air flow to remain in contact with body work of the car, rather than just flowing off the car.

Now, imagining all of these technical parts without the pictures not easy, yes, the flow viz paint which F1 engineers use to test their work does help, but what about those hundresds of small aero components? What do they do? And why do they need so many of them? Well, after the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, because of the weather and track conditions all of these principles of air flow were revealed making it much easier to understand what that time and money spent by the constructors actually means for the car. The oil residue and the wet conditions on meant dirt and oil was carried with the air flow and remained on the surface of the car, revealing the air flow outlines. They outlines show how every little component does its work of keeping the air flow along with the car.  

With the pictures we can clearly see how each cluster of aero components help the air flow guide along the car, create vortices and create downforce.

These advancement in aero department, however, was not always the case in the sport. If we look at even just the front wings of some the previous year cars, we can see how much F1 cars have developed in the aero department in recent years.

However, the development in the aero department and achievements of the engineers, it has also affected the competition in the sport. F1 cars are becoming too reliable on the downforce and manipulation of the air, so it becomes quite difficult when for the car that is following another through turbulent air it leaves behind. Making it harder for the cars who are close to the car in the front to achieve the maximum potential and overtake the car in front. This has made the sport somewhat predictable and less exciting for the fans. This is where the new regulations, which are supposed to take place from 2022, that will regulate extent of the application of the aerodynamics on the car and make sure racing remains racing. 

If you find this interesting make sure to check out following videos by autosport.com and chainbear.

https://youtu.be/ZFEzMKYjShc

https://youtu.be/d9Agc00Omak

Picture credits - autosport.com, chain bear