Let’s talk about aerodynamics in Formula One cars, the reason I want to talk about aerodynamics is that Formula One cars are fast – very fast indeed – and this can be proved by the top speed recorded in the Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain as AlphaTauri achieved a top speed of 322.7kph(200.5 mph) and this would not have been possible without the aerodynamics of the car. A major part in overtaking these days in Formula One is on the straights owing to DRS(Drag Reduction System), so let’s talk about DRS in the first part of this series.
DRS in activated(bottom) and deactivated(top) position respectively
The DRS is a driver activated system and is aimed to reduce aerodynamic drag in order to increase top speed and promote overtaking. The DRS can be activated in DRS ‘activation zones’, designated by FIA in every track and when the car is one second or lesser from the car it is pursuing. The DRS when activated can increase the car’s speed by 10-12kph and when deactivated can increase downforce thus helping in cornering. The elements that are involved in DRS are located in the rear wing of the car. The rear wings consist of the main plane and the flap. The DRS allows the flap to lift a few millimetres (50 mm to be precise) from the fixed main plane. This reduces the aerodynamic drag and results in less downforce, in the absence of lateral forces (as the DRS is activated in straights) and less downforce allows faster acceleration and potential top speed. The effectiveness of the DRS varies from car to car and from track to track but it definitely shows us the beauty of science as moving a single part of a car a few millimetres can increase its speed to a huge extent.
This is the end of part one and I will see you soon!
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