VROOOM VROOOOM:
AERODYNAMICS OF AN F1 CAR

QUICK INTRODUCTION TO F1

Modern-day Formula One cars are constructed from composites of carbon fibre and similar ultra-lightweight materials. The minimum weight permissible is 740 kg, including the driver but not fuel. Cars are weighed with dry-weather tyres fitted. Prior to the 2014 F1 season, cars often weighed in under this limit so teams added ballast in order to add weight to the car. The advantage of using ballast is that it can be placed anywhere in the car to provide ideal weight distribution. This can help lower the car's centre of gravity to improve stability and also allows the team to fine-tune the weight distribution of the car to suit individual circuits.

Evidently, physics plays a fundamental role in F1. Modern F1 cars are almost entirely designed around aerodynamics. The car needs to be as fast and safe as possible, whilst creating sufficient down force and minimal drag.

We will first discuss about downforce generation, followed by how drag affects F1 cars, and finally an analysis of select F1 components.