What do Aerodynamicists do?

An aerodynamicist is an aerospace engineering professional who ensures that designs for new vehicles are feasible and safe. Aerodynamicists can conduct research on designs and concepts for many types of vehicles and products, such as aircraft, spacecraft, land vehicles and satellites.

How is CFD used in F1?

The linchpin of F1’s technology is computational fluid dynamics (CFD), a field that utilizes advanced mathematics and computer simulation to model and predict how the laws of physics and racing conditions will affect a race car’s performance on race day.

What do you need to study to become an aerodynamicist?

You’ll likely need a university degree in either aeronautical engineering or aerospace engineering to work as an aerodynamicist. You might also be able to get into this field if you have a degree in mechanical engineering, with coursework in aerodynamics.

What qualifications do you need to be an aerodynamicist?

Most aerodynamicists have a university-level degree, often a Master’s, in Engineering or Applied Physics. Some go on to do a PhD in the subject. An apprenticeship is a common route into the experimental side of the work.

What is F1 CFD?

What software do F1 teams use for CFD?

Like many car manufacturers and most Formula One teams, Sahara Force India uses the CATIA and ENOVIA applications from Dassault Systemes as its CFD tools. “For us, the most important thing is surfacing, since most of the performance enhancements come from aerodynamics,” explains Szafnauer.

How much do Aerodynamicists make?

Aerodynamicists in America make an average salary of $94,874 per year or $46 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $149,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $60,000 per year.

How much does an aerodynamicist make UK?

An early career Aerodynamicist with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of £33,625 based on 17 salaries. A mid-career Aerodynamicist with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of £43,570 based on 9 salaries.

Do all F1 teams have wind tunnels?

It has long been essential for the success of a Formula 1 team to spend hours on end testing the aerodynamics of their car in the wind tunnel. But according to Symonds, there are only two teams on the grid which still believe wind tunnels have a place in Formula 1.

What do diffuser strakes do?

Strakes are the vertical fences that can be visualized on diffusers, normally in the tunnels. Strakes serve two main functions: keep tire squirt from the diffuser tunnels and to be vortex generators. Tire squirt can be minimized by using strakes to reduce the amount of tire wake making its way into the diffuser tunnel.

Can you get a degree in aerodynamics?

Universities don’t typically offer specific degree paths for people interested in aerodynamics, so aerodynamicists usually get degrees — at both the undergraduate and the graduate level — in aerospace engineering.

What does an aerodynamics engineer do in Formula 1?

There are a variety of roles available within the Aerodynamics department of a Formula 1 team. These might include: Aerodynamics Performance Engineer This type of role will typically involve analysing data from track, computer programmes and the wind tunnel, as well as advising on new aerodynamic development, and discussing the set-up of the car.

What subjects do you need to be an aerodynamicist?

An aerodynamicist will typically be drawn to the subjects of maths and science, and have a general passion for them. You are likely to have an interest in problem solving, how things work and how things can move faster, particularly cars, planes, and even animals.

What does an aerodynamicist do?

An Aerodynamicist working in the motorsport industry is interested in the flow of air around the car, the shape of the car parts and making the air flow more smoothly to gain more speed or downforce during a race.

What is the drag coefficient of an F1 car?

Due to the nature of the vehicles, the aerodynamics of F1 cars are quite different to that of road cars – with drag coefficients of between 0.7 and 1.0 (it used to be even higher but rules restrict how much area can be used for aerodynamic devices) – this is between about 2 and 4 times as much as a good modern road car.