The Influence of Front Wing Pressure Distribution on Wheel Wake Aerodynamics of a F1 Car

Daniel Martins, João Correia and André Silva
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Daniel Martins: Aerospace Sciences Department, University of Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
João Correia: Aerospace Sciences Department, University of Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
André Silva: Aerospace Sciences Department, University of Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: The present study focuses on investigating the aerodynamic interaction between a three-element wing and wheel in ground effect, following the Formula One regulation change set for 2022, among which is the simplification of the front wing. This was accomplished by conducting a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics analysis, using a Detached-Eddy Simulation approach, on a simplified one-quarter model of a Formula One racing car. The main goal was to examine how changing the front wing pressure distribution, by changing the incidence of the second flap, affected the wheel wake. The flow investigation indicated that the wheel wake is influenced by the flap configuration, which is mainly due to the fact that different flap configurations produce different upwash flow fields, leading to a variation of the separation point on top of the tire. As the separation point moves rearwards, the downwash generated in the central region (for a vertical plane) of the wheel wake increases incrementally, leading to a resultant wake that is shorter and further apart. The force investigation showed that the proximity between the region of instability (i.e., vortex breakdown) and the wing’s trailing edge influences the behavior of the transient oscillations, regarding the forces acting on the wing: detecting higher drag force fluctuations, when compared to downforce fluctuations.

Keywords: Formula One; racing car; front wing; wheel; transient; CFD (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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