Title: The influence of aerodynamics on the design of Formula One racing cars

Authors: P.G. Wright

Addresses: Director, Team Lotus International, UK

Abstract: In the last fifteen years aerodynamics has made a significant contribution to the major changes in the configuration and performance of Formula One racing cars. Tripling the negative lift has affected the design of all major components and has altered the requirements of vehicle dynamics. The magnitude of the negative lift available, and the promise of future developments, has so affected the cornering and braking accelerations, and hence cornering speeds, that changes are now necessary to limit performance. It is essential to the technical future of Formula One that these changes do not inhibit the development and technology that may, in time, benefit the development of road vehicles as a whole.

Keywords: aerodynamics; aerofoils; braking; cornering; FISA regulations; Formula One; ground effect; negative lift; racing cars; skirts; suspension systems; vehicle dynamics; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1982.061285

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1982 Vol.3 No.4, pp.383 - 397

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article