11 replies to this topic

[schuy]

hello,
can anyone tell me, what is the cd figure, for an F1 car?
cd as in, the aerodynamic drag per car.

thank-you,
liran biderman.

[Wheeler]

Don't know exactly what it is, but it's a lot higher than a road car due to the exposed wheels and wings. I read somewhere that if a driver took his foot off the gas at full speed, an F1 car would slow down faster than a road car at that speed with its brakes on full. So whatever the cd is, it's pretty high!

[schuy]

ciao wheeler,
hey, thanks for the information.
that's very interesting, isn't it?
good input.

ciao,
liran biderman.

[MacFan]

Although F1 aerodynamics has changed a lot since then, in 1986 Peter Collins of Benetton said their car had a Cd approaching 1.0

It is probably slightly less now, as they are acheiving similar top speeds with slightly less power.

[jetsetjim]

Last figures I saw regarding Cd for race cars were:

0.57 for open wheel car - no wings (I.e Formula Ford)

0.75-0.95 for open wheel car with wings (depending on configuration)

Hope that helps

[schuy]

ciao,
MacFan, thanks for the information.
wow, that's absolutely immense my man!
1.0 cd!
is this the reason, why the F1 cars which have 800 BHP, only manage to do 360 kph, whilst a mclaren F1 managed to be the fastest production car, with 627 BHP, reaching 391 kph?
jim, yes, that really helps.
0.75-0.95 for a F1 car is really huge, meaning there is so much drag!
guys, by the way, for comparison,
the FERRARI 550 Maranello has a 0.25 cd!
the nissan X-TRAIL, an suv, has a cd of 0.37.
the new Lexus LS430, has a cd of 0.26!
the Renault Clio V6, has a cd of 0.37.

ciao,
liran biderman.

[carlos.maza]

F1 Cd is far worse than a modern production car due to the open wheels and the wings.
I seem to remember that Cd = 1.0 is a very precise value for a high downforce configuration, such as Monaco or Hungary.

[Jezztor]

Hey Liran, fancy meeting you here!

I seem to remember Rory Byrne stating that Ferrari's Cd was around 0.93...I'm sure thats accurate, Hope it helps ya schuy.

Jezz/Ulrico

[schuy]

ciao ulrico,
hmmm, nice to see you here, mate!
ulrico, thanks for the details.
do you reckon, that's why F1 cars have such a low top speed?
grazie,
liran biderman.

[desmo]

Although I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the data, here is a list of Cd for various tracks according to last year's Piola book:

Australia: 0.981
Brazil: 0.942
San Marino: 0.912
Monaco: 1.000
Spain: 0.898
Canada 0.832
France 0.962
GB 0.872
Austria 0.884
Germany 0.697
Hungary 0.990
Belgium 0.850
Italy 0.680
Europe 0.938
Malaysia 0.952
Japan 0.991

I don't know how these were calculated, but if not accurate in absolute terms, do still show the enormous disparity in the setups used depending on the circuit.

[Jezztor]

Yes Liran, most definitely. The majority of an F1's drag comes from the open wheels. With closed bodywork over the wheels and a little more leniancy with the rules, F1 cars are presumed to be able to reach speeds of up to 450km/h, so sources indicate. Don't fight me on that one, I heard it

Jezz

[Philip Lee KK]

when u consider F1 cars decelerate at around 1G just by lifting off the gas (without applying the brake), the CD & drag is huge.