Race Car Aerodynamics

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Stockholm April 8
th
, !""
Corrado CASIRA#HI
Tatuus Racing
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO

Historic overview

Race car categories

Aerodynamic and performance

Aerodynamic tools

Validation: CFD, Wind Tunnel, Trac Test

Wind Tunnel Test Case

Contents
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Historic o%er%ie&

First steps

Drag reduction: fast circuits, low power engines

!"!#: $ndianapolis %&&
!"!%: $ndianapolis %&&
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Historic o%er%ie&

Race car evolution

Downforce researc': tire and engine tec'nology are

improved
!"##: C'aparral()* !"#%: C'aparral()C
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Historic o%er%ie&

Race Car *volution

*+treme solution: ad,usta-le wings, suction fans

!"##: C'aparral(). /0ucer car1
!"#2: 3otus 4 Type 5"
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Historic o%er%ie&

Race Car *volution

Wing cars: reversed wing under-ody and sealing sirts

!"66: 3otus type 62
!"66: 3otus type 62
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Historic o%er%ie&

Race Car *volution

7odern era: flat and 8stepped9 under-ody

!"2:: 7c3aren 7;5(!C )&&5: .ordan 8stepped9 underfloor
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Historic o%er%ie&

0ports Car

Ape+ of efficiency
!""": 7ercedes C3R
!""": Toyota <T(=ne
!""": >7W(37R
!""": Audi R2R
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Historic o%er%ie&

0ports Car

0afety pro-lems
!""": 7ercedes C3R
!""2: ;orsc'e <T!
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic and performance

Aerodynamic forces are depending -y

t'e -ody s'ape and velocity

F ? @ v
)
0C
F

F
+
? D ? @ v
)
0C
+

F
A
? 3 ? @ v
)
0C
A
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic and performance

Drag

Drag reduction is not commonly t'e first target of

top race car aerodynamic optimisation

Drag reduction is still an important factor for low

power ve'icles /F:, electricBsolar cars1
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
Power
Top speed
Drag [Scx:0.65]
Drag [Scx:0.75]
Power [P]
Speed [!"#]
P
o
w
e
r

[

P
]
; /!(1?!B)v
)
0C
+
C R /v1
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic and performance

Downforce

T'e ve'icle sta-ility and 'andling are primarily

dictated -y t'e tyre performance, -ut t'is
performance is considera-ly related to t'e
aerodynamic loads, iDeD optimal loading of t'e
tyres -y t'e control of front and rear downforce
can lead to:

$mproved -raing performance

$ncreased cornering speed

0ta-ility /necessary to ac'ieve cornering

speed1
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Cornering Force
$oad %da&'
(
o
r
)
e
r
*
)
g

+
o
r
c
e

%
d
a
&
'
Aerodynamic and performance

Downforce and grip

T'e tyre can transfer t'roug' its contact patc' a

force t'at is a function of t'e vertical load /linear
for low vertical forces1

To eep it simple it can -e assumed: F

+,y
? F
A
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic and performance

>raing performance

$ncreased downforce reduces -raing space

>raing distance to stop and -raing time versus initial speed
wit' low /0CA?&1, medium and 'ig' downforce
F
+
?F
A
a
+
?F
+
Bm
t?a
+
Bv
s?v
&
t(!B)a
+
t
)

50 100 150 200 250 300
0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
,ra!*)g
s1 ["] %$D-'
s2 ["] %.D-'
s3 ["] %D-'
/1 [s] %$D-'
/2 [s] %.D-'
/3 [s] %D-'
Speed [!"0#]
S
p
a
c
e

[
"
]
T
*
"
e

[
s
]
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic and performance

Cornering 0peed

0teady(state turning leads to forces on t'e tyres

w'ic' increase wit' downforce and to centrifugal
forces w'ic' increase wit' cornering speed
7a+imum speed and cornering time /"&E corner1versus trac curvature R
wit' low /0CA?&1, medium and 'ig' downforce
F
y
?F
A
? @ v
)
0C
A
F
y
?m v
)
BR
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
300.0
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
(or)er*)g speed
1"ax [!"0#] %$D-'
1"ax [!"0#] %.D-'
1"ax [!"0#] %D-'
/ [s] %$D-'
/ [s] %.D-'
/ [s] %D-'
(or)er 2ad*3s ["]
S
p
e
e
d

[
!
"
0
#
]
/
*
"
e

[
s
]
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic and performance

0ide wind sta-ility

A: Centre of pressure /C;1 a'ead of Centre of

<ravity /C<1

Any lateral irregularity /-ump, wind gust1 will cause an

initial side slip t'at tends to generate an aerodynamic side
force t'at tend to increase t'e side slip, iDeD unsta-le
wit'out driver correctionD

>: C; -e'ind C<

Fnlie most road cars, race cars 'ave t'eir C; -e'ind t'e
C< in order to 'ave a good lateral sta-ility at 'ig' speeds
w'ere aerodynamic forces are significantD
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic and performance

8Aero-balance9 sta-ility

A: 3ow(speed /negligi-le lift1 ve'icle wit' side slip

angle due to lateral force /wind or centrifugal1

T'e side force created -y tyres is proportional to t'e

normal load, iDeD proportional to t'e weig't on t'e front
/W
f
1 and rear /W
r
1 a+lesD

$f t'e moment a-out t'e C< created -y t'e rear tyres

e+ceeds t'at created -y t'e front tyres, suc' t'at t'e net
moment tends to rotate t'e car in t'e direction of slip,
t'en t'ere is understeer /0ta-le1D

>: Hig'(speed /significant lift1 ve'icle wit' side

slip angle

Here t'e downforce is generated at t'e front and t'ere is

some rear positive lift /typical of some production cars1

$f t'e moment a-out t'e C< created -y t'e front tyres

e+ceeds t'e rear tyre moment, suc' t'at t'e net moment
tends to turn t'e car away from t'e side slip direction, t'en
t'ere is oversteer and possi-le ve'icle spin /Fnsta-le1D
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic and performance

3ap(time

$n racing top speed is often not relevant and eac'

trac reGuires different aerodynamic settings:

Hig' speed trac wit' serious accelerations and s'arp

corners /iDeD 7onAa1 reGuires low dragBlow downforce
setting

Hig' speed trac wit' fast corners /iDeD >arcelona, 0pa1

reGuires 'ig' downforce setting

T'e overall lap(time is a result of corner, -raing

and top speed:

Due to t'e modern circuit layout most of t'e lap(time is

spent in acceleration, deceleration, cornering, so
downforce plays a greatest part t'an pure efficiency
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

Regulations

Regulations are t'e most remara-le limitation to

aerodynamic design in race cars
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

7ost important items

>ody

Wings B *ndplates

0plitter B 0poiler

Appendages /-arge -oards, straes, c'imneys,

vorte+ generators1

W'eels
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

>ody

>odywors and particularly underfloor are t'e

most powerful aerodynamic devices

Fnderfloor wors as a Venturi in ground effect

Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

>ody

Regulations -an underfloor s'aped as an inverted

wing /floor must -e flat -etween a+les1 -ut allows
a rear diffuser t'at massively affects t'e pressure
under t'e ve'icle

Rules dictate more and more limits to t'e diffuser

design resulting in an e+treme researc' on flow
interference wit' e+'aust, cooling ductsDDD
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

Wings

Wings are t'e most efficient aerodynamic device

Rear wings of open w'eel car 'ave a very small

aspect ratio

Wing installation /-y t'e rules1 far(forward far(

after en'ance t'eir -alancing effect
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

Wings

Race car wings are designed to 'eavily interact

wit' t'e surrounding -odies: eDgD t'e rear -ottom
wing wors in sym-iosis wit' t'e underfloor
diffuser to pump air from t'e venturi
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

Wings

*ndplates are important for t'e lateral sta-ility

and to separate t'e wing from t'e tur-ulent w'eel
flow, -ig endplates are 'elping to restore a )D
flow

Front wings operate in e+treme ground effect and

are affected -y ve'icle pitc'
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

>arge -oards and side -oards

T'e -arge-oard is a vertical panel situated

longitudinally, -etween t'e front w'eels and t'e
sidepods

>arge-oards and side-oards act primarily as flow

conditioners, smoot'ing and redirecting t'e vorte+
created -y t'e front wing and t'e 8dirty9 flow
released -y t'e rotating w'eels
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

>arge -oards and side -oards

>arge-oards act as vorte+ generators, redirecting

and energiAing airflow: t'e upper, downward
sloping edge s'ed a large vorte+ downstream
around t'e sidepods, w'ere it aid in sealing t'e
low pressure under-ody flow from t'e am-ient
streamD T'e -ottom edge of t'e -arge-oard s'ed
vortices t'at energiAe t'e airflow to t'e
under-ody, w'ic' can 'elp delay flow separation
and allow t'e use of more aggressive diffuser
profiles
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

0poilers and splitters

0poilers on t'e front of a ve'icle are often called

air dams, -ecause in addition to directing air flow
t'ey also reduce t'e amount of air flowing
underneat' t'e ve'icle w'ic' reduces
aerodynamic liftD

T'e splitter is an 'oriAontal lip t'at -roug't t'e

airflow to stagnation a-ove t'e surface, causing
an area of 'ig' pressureD >elow t'e splitter t'e air
is accelerated, causing t'e pressure to dropD T'is,
com-ined wit' t'e 'ig' pressure over t'e splitter
creates downforceD
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

0poilers

Rear spoilers act in a similar way t'an front, t'ey

spoil t'e airflow tum-ling over t'e rear edge of
t'e car t'at causes a recirculation -u--le, t'is
vorte+ doesnHt allow a good underfloor flow
increasing lift and insta-ility
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Aerodynamic Tools

W'eels

=pen(w'eeled race car 'ave a very complicated

aerodynamics due to t'e large e+posed w'eels

T'e flow -e'ind w'eels is completely separated

T'e frontal area of t'e four w'eels may -e as

muc' as #%I of t'e total ve'icle frontal area
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

CFD

Wind Tunnel

Trac Test
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

CFD: Computational Fluid Dynamic software is t'e

numerical approac' to t'e aerodynamic simulation

CFD is a powerful tool for t'e first evaluation of

appendages -efore t'e model manufacturing for
t'e wind tunnel

CFD model allows t'e Guic modification of t'e

-oundary condition

CFD allows t'e analysis of t'e complete

aerodynamic field wit'out intrusive measurement

CFD is a powerful tool for t'e design stage of:

Wing

<eometry modification

Vorte+ analysis

3oad distri-ution
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

CFD post processing is t'e ey to iterate

t'e CAD design process

Typical visualiAation can s'ow

Cp distri-ution

=ilflow

0treamlines

Cooling analysis

Ri--ons
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

CFD post processing is t'e ey to iterate

t'e CAD design process

Typical visualiAation can s'ow

$so(surfaces /e+D Tur-ulence analysis1

)D and +(y analysis /e+D Wing optimiAation1

Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

Wind Tunnel

Wind tunnel is t'e main e+perimental

development facility

7easurements in t'e wind tunnel are -ased on t'e

reciprocity effect of t'e wind speed and ve'icle
speed /ve'icle is steady, air is moving1

T'e largest test section would -e desira-le to

reduce -locage and -etter simulate real
condition, -ut operational cost of a full scale
tunnel is 'uge
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

Wind Tunnel: 0caled 7odel

7ost of t'e wind tunnels use scaled models

T'e aerodynamic similitude is respected if

coefficients are t'e same for scaled and real
model:

Viscous similitude: Reynolds ? vlB

Compressi-le similitude: 7ac' ? v B a

<ravitational similitude: Froude ? /v

)
Blg1
/!B)1

W'en t'e model is steady and air is flowing

Froude is neglected and to respect t'e dynamic
similitude Reynolds and 7ac' num-ers s'ould -e
t'e same t'an full scale

$n low speed tunnels 7ac' num-er is neglected

and Reynolds remains t'e only coefficient to -e
targeted, in reality it cannot -e matc'ed -ecause
t'e air speed cannot -e scaled up sufficiently
/cost and transonic speed1
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

Wind Tunnel: >oundary 3ayer

T'e control of t'e -oundary layer t'icness is

crucial on t'e wind tunnel simulation: -ecause of
t'e reciprocity -oundary layer grows on -ot'
model and ground /if steady1

T'e -oundary layer t'icness is of t'e same order

as t'e ground clearance and t'erefore ground
effect is affected, for t'at reason wind tunnel for
racing car testing must -e eGuipped wit' -oundary
layer control system

T'e moving ground /coupled wit' a >3 suction

system1 is t'e most common solution
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

Wind Tunnel: Typical 3ayout

A typical design of an automotive wind tunnel:

7odel scale 5&(#&I

Contraction ratio %(6:!

Wind speed: 5&(#& mBs

Rolling road

>oundary layer suction

Temperature control
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

Wind Tunnel: 7odel $nstallation

T'e rolling road causes some measurements

pro-lems:

T'e model 'ave to -e 'old -y t'e sting t'at

interact wit' t'e -ody

W'eels are not connected to t'e c'assis

Difficulties in measuring load on rotating

w'eels in contact wit' t'e -elt
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
(ind Tunnel Test Case

Test program

Test procedure is planned to analyse t'e

-e'aviour of t'e main aerodynamic devices:

Front Wing sensitivity

Rear wing sensitivity

;itc' attitude sensitivity

Cooling

Furt'er investigation can -e done on yaw and

roll sensitivity, steered w'eels, underfloor
'ysteresisDDD
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
(ind Tunnel Test Case

Data logging

Data are logged from -alance system, positioning

system and pressure sensors

Raw data are t'en processed to correct -locage,

temperature and density variation, w'eel
frictionDDD
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0.900
0.950
1.000
1.050
1.100
-ro)/ 4*)g se)s*/*5*/6
5
10
15
20
-7ap a)g7e
S
(
x
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0.900
0.920
0.940
0.960
0.980
1.000
1.020
1.040
1.060
1.080
-ro)/ 4*)g se)s*/*5*/6
5
10
15
20
-7ap a)g7e
S
(
8
(ind Tunnel Test Case

;ost ;rocessing: Front wing

T'e following diagrams s'ow t'e sensitivity of t'e

front wing to t'e flap position and t'e main wing
distance from t'e rolling road

Data are collected at t'e datum attitude /pitc',

roll, yaw and ride 'eig'ts1 and scaled to t'e
datum point reference values
Da/3"
Da/3"
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
(ind Tunnel Test Case

;ost ;rocessing: Front wing

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
35.009
36.009
37.009
38.009
39.009
40.009
41.009
42.009
43.009
44.009
45.009
-ro)/ 4*)g se)s*/*5*/6
5
10
15
20
-7ap a)g7e
9
-
Da/3"
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0.850
0.900
0.950
1.000
1.050
1.100
-ro)/ 4*)g se)s*/*5*/6
5
10
15
20
-7ap a)g7e
:
Da/3"
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
0 5 10 15 20 25
0.8
0.85
0.9
0.95
1
1.05
1.1
2ear 4*)g se)s*/*5*/6
-7ap a)g7e
S
(
x
0 5 10 15 20 25
0.8
0.85
0.9
0.95
1
1.05
1.1
2ear 4*)g se)s*/*5*/6
-7ap a)g7e
S
(
8
(ind Tunnel Test Case

;ost ;rocessing: Rear wing

T'e following diagrams s'ow t'e sensitivity of t'e

rear wing to t'e flap position

Data are collected at t'e datum attitude /pitc',

roll, yaw and ride 'eig'ts1 and scaled to t'e
datum point reference values
Da/3"
Da/3"
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
0 5 10 15 20 25
0.8
0.85
0.9
0.95
1
1.05
2ear 4*)g se)s*/*5*/6
-7ap a)g7e
:
0 5 10 15 20 25
359
379
399
419
439
459
479
499
2ear 4*)g se)s*/*5*/6
-7ap a)g7e
9
-
(ind Tunnel Test Case

;ost ;rocessing: Rear wing

Da/3"
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
(ind Tunnel Test Case

;ost ;rocessing: Ride Heig't

T'e following diagrams s'ow t'e sensitivity of t'e

aerodynamic parameters t'e ride 'eig't /and
pitc' angle1

Data are collected at t'e datum wing set /front

and rear flap1 and scaled to t'e datum point
reference values

Data are plotted as iso(lines of t'e relevant

measure for Front Ride Heig't /FRH1 and Rear Ride
Heig't /RRH1
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
(ind Tunnel Test Case

;ost ;rocessing: Ride Heig't

Da/3"
Da/3"
0CA 0C+
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
(ind Tunnel Test Case

;ost ;rocessing: Ride Heig't

Da/3"
* IF
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
(ind Tunnel Test Case

;ost ;rocessing: 8Re(-alanced9 data

T'e most critical parameter of t'e aerodynamic

setup is t'e 8Aero(-alance9 /IF1

Aero(-alance is restored to t'e target value /5&I

Front in t'is case1 acting on t'e Front wing, forces
are t'en recalculated using t'e derivatives from
t'e Front wing analysis
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
(ind Tunnel Test Case

;ost ;rocessing: Ve'icle polar diagram

T'e following diagram resume a set of -alanced

setup plotted as function of CA and C+

Data are collected at t'e datum ride 'eig't and

scaled to t'e datum point reference values
0.750 0.800 0.850 0.900 0.950 1.000 1.050 1.100
0.800
0.850
0.900
0.950
1.000
1.050
Po7ar d*agra"
-2 15;30 22
S(8
S
(
x
Da/3"
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

Trac Test

Full scale aerodynamic test can -e done on t'e

real car running on t'e trac: downforce, drag and
aero -alance /I of t'e downforce on t'e front
a+le1 can -e measured

7easurement are Guite difficult and 'ave poor

repeata-ility

T'e car can -e eGuipped wit' sensor t'at log:

Air speed: ;itot tu-e

Downforce: 0train gauges

Ride Heig't: 3aser displacement

;ower: TorGue sensor

Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

Trac Test

$t is important to consider t'e dynamic ride 'eig't

as a critical parameter for t'e aero
measurements:

Ride Heig't can -e calculated -y suspension

measurements /via installation ratio1

Real Ride Heig't can -e measured including

tyre deformation -y a 3aser sensor

Ride 'eig't oscillation can -e avoided

replacing dampers wit' solid rods /only on
straig't line testing1
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

Trac Test

Downforce and aero -alance are measured on

every w'eel -y t'e strain gauge
0C
A
? F
A
/front RH, rear RH1 B p
dyn

Drag can -e measured in eGuili-rium condition

-etween engine power and drag power, or
calculated during a coast(down
ma
+
? (/0C
+
p
dyn
C R1
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
'erification

Trac Test

Flow visualisation can -e done on running car

Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
References

Joseph Katz Race Car Aerodynamics Robert Benley Publishers

Simon McBeath Competition Car Aerodynamics Haynes Publishing

Enrico Benzing Ali !ings Automobilia

J"B" Barlo# !"H"Rae A" Pope $o#%speed !ind &unnel &esting John !iley ' Sons"

Simon McBeath Competition Car (o#n)orce Haynes Publishing

*igel Mac+night &echnology o) the ,- car Hazleton Publishing

(a.id &remayne &he Science o) ,ormula- design Haynes Publishing

Sal /ncandela &he Anatomy ' (e.elopment o) the ,ormula 0ne Racing Car )rom -123
Haynes Publishing

4iorgio Piola ,ormula- analisi tecnica 56625667 4iorgio *ada ed"

http8###")-technical"net

http8###")-complete"com

http8###"mulsannescorner"com
http8###"gurney)lap"com
Race Car Aerodynamics $ April 8
th
, !""
Company
LOGO
Ackno&ledgements
T'ans to ;rofessor Alessandro Talamelli and JTH for
inviting me
T'ans to Tatuus Racing for permission to s'ow
confidential information
T'ans to you for your interest