Formula for Success - Aerodynamics
The BBC has a series of very interesting articles about the things that's needed to be successful in F1 but presented in a way that is easy to understand. The language used to explain the concepts and how they relate to performance is nicely done for the non technical follower of F1 and even hardcore fans. Formula 1's sleek racing machines look so different to the cars we see every day on the road because their design is dictated by aerodynamics. This is the study of forces and their impact on how objects move through the air. Hundreds of engineers working in the blue ribbon of motorsport are slaves to its principles, and teams spend millions each year chasing its rewards. "Aerodynamics is the start, middle and the end of whether a car is quick," Lotus F1 team technical director James Allison explains. "Generally the car with the best aerodynamics wins the championship." The aerodynamics of an F1 car has two vital jobs on the racetrack - producing down...