During practice for the US Grand Prix in Austin, the Texas air was humid enough to condense as it was compressed by all those sophisticated aero devices. Check out the air swirling out of the sides of Alonso's F138.
I'm pretty sure the vortex on the side is coming from the bargeboard splitters in front of the side pods. Check out the video here http://somersf1.blogspot.ca/2013/11/austin-gp-video-compilation-of-vortices.html
It's actually not coming out of the hubs. It's generated on the front wing and then deflected out from those vertical wings you see often hanging off of the side pods. Interestingly, Sky did a comparison and noted how the Ferrari is just deflecting the air out of the way of the rear tire, but Red Bull is actually channeling the vortex around the side of the car and across the rear diffuser. Obviously an aero advantage. Pretty neat!
If you watched the Sky broadcast, they covered why the Red Bull is the top car and why everyone else Isnt. Here's a link to a large gif of the Ferrari vs. the Reb Bull. http://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/1qu4oi/redbullferrari_vortex_comparison_gif5mb/
I believe the visible condensation of the air is caused by the low-preassure area in the cores of the vortices, and isn't due to the compression of the air. Wicked cool though!
Over the last couple of years, I've heard several engineers talk about the higher degree of rake in the Red Bull cars as the source one of their key performance advantages. I'd love to more about this and if it's indeed true, why the hell other F1 constructors aren't following suit?
You're right... This is actually hydrodynamics and not aerodynamics, as the air is acting as a fluid. As the air accelerates over the aero(hydro?!?)dynamic surfaces, the pressure decreases (Bernoulli's principle) and the air is not able to hold as much water, which results in visible moisture.
I'm pretty sure the vortex on the side is coming from the bargeboard splitters in front of the side pods. Check out the video here http://somersf1.blogspot.ca/2013/11/austin-gp-video-compilation-of-vortices.html
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think you're right.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually not coming out of the hubs. It's generated on the front wing and then deflected out from those vertical wings you see often hanging off of the side pods. Interestingly, Sky did a comparison and noted how the Ferrari is just deflecting the air out of the way of the rear tire, but Red Bull is actually channeling the vortex around the side of the car and across the rear diffuser. Obviously an aero advantage. Pretty neat!
ReplyDeleteInsanely cool
ReplyDeleteIf you watched the Sky broadcast, they covered why the Red Bull is the top car and why everyone else Isnt. Here's a link to a large gif of the Ferrari vs. the Reb Bull. http://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/1qu4oi/redbullferrari_vortex_comparison_gif5mb/
ReplyDeleteI believe the visible condensation of the air is caused by the low-preassure area in the cores of the vortices, and isn't due to the compression of the air. Wicked cool though!
ReplyDeleteOver the last couple of years, I've heard several engineers talk about the higher degree of rake in the Red Bull cars as the source one of their key performance advantages. I'd love to more about this and if it's indeed true, why the hell other F1 constructors aren't following suit?
ReplyDeleteYou're right... This is actually hydrodynamics and not aerodynamics, as the air is acting as a fluid. As the air accelerates over the aero(hydro?!?)dynamic surfaces, the pressure decreases (Bernoulli's principle) and the air is not able to hold as much water, which results in visible moisture.
ReplyDelete