Aerodynamic characteristics effect mechanism of Formula race cars during corners

Abstract

Aerodynamics significantly influence the performance of the racing cars during corners and play a crucial role in the results of the race. The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of Formula-style racing cars on aerodynamic characteristics when cornering and the variations compared to the straight. The SST k-ω turbulence model and the self-compiled field function are employed to conduct steady-state simulations of the racing car’s cornering flow field. Validation is performed through Skid-Pad circuit testing on an FSAE race car, yielding a 6.1% deviation between simulation and experimental data. The results show that when the car during corners, the aerodynamic force will change significantly compared with straight, specifically, aerodynamic drag decreases by 1.2% while downforce increases by 7.9%. Additional aerodynamic moments will be generated that induce understeer tendency. The wake structures and flow separation exhibit asymmetric evolution between the inside and outside of the curve. Overall, the flow characteristics of the racing car change considerably in curves, which require both drivers and aerodynamic designers to take into account for these variations.