Analyzing the Impact of Dynamic Cornering Motion on Race Car Aerodynamics
H. Ghiridharan (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
M.J.B.M. Pourquié – Mentor (TU Delft - Fluid Mechanics)
W. J. Baars – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Aerodynamics)
EFJ Overmars – Mentor (TU Delft - Fluid Mechanics)
S. Zhou – Mentor (TU Delft - Fluid Mechanics)
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Abstract
A Formula 1 car experiences dynamic aerodynamic conditions throughout a race, particularly during phases of acceleration, deceleration, and cornering. With the reintroduction of ground effect by Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, FIA regulations in 2022, the aerodynamic sensitivity of the underfloor and front wing regions has become increasingly important. However, transient effects under such dynamic conditions are difficult to replicate in traditional wind tunnels or steady Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD environments. This study numerically investigates the transient aerodynamic behavior of a front wing operating under ground effect, using a scaled model of the Tyrrell 026 Formula 1 front wing.
The research focuses on capturing transient aerodynamic behavior during straight-line motion, normal cornering, and yawed cornering configurations under both accelerating and decelerating conditions. 3D Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations using the SST 𝑘–𝜔 turbulence model are conducted in ANSYS Fluent. Detailed comparisons are made between steady state and unsteady results to understand how added mass effects, vortex shedding, and asymmetrical flow patterns influence force and moment coefficients.
Results show significant deviation in aerodynamic forces and moments during transient phases, particularly under cornering with yaw, where asymmetries in flow around the left and right endplates amplify aerodynamic imbalance. The study quantifies these effects using non-dimensional analysis and time-resolved post-processing, revealing critical dependencies between transient flow structures and aerodynamic response. These insights provide a foundation for improving the simulation fidelity of dynamic flow conditions and optimizing front wing setup for real-world race conditions.