ANSYS Software Assists Red Bull Racing

By DE Editors

Red Bull Racing Formula One in Europe has won this year’s 2010 Formula One Constructors’ Championship—assisted by racecar improvements engineered using simulation software from ANSYS.

One of two Formula One Championships decided each year, the Constructors’ Championship rewards the racing team that has achieved the best overall results during the season. With large amounts of prize money at stake, Red Bull Racing uses ANSYS technology to optimize design enhancements to its vehicles.

Engineering simulation has become more important to Red Bull since testing restrictions were introduced ahead of the 2009 season.

“The time we can devote to physical testing is extremely limited,” says Steve Nevey, business development manager at Red Bull Racing. “Under these restrictions, we have turned to software from ANSYS to virtually optimize the aerodynamics of our cars, which has emerged as a key factor in winning championships. We can quickly put new designs on the track because the predictions that ANSYS gives us are so accurate.”

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software from ANSYS enables Red Bull to simulate airflows around, in and through its car designs under a range of conditions, including transient simulations where changing conditions are modeled over time. The team has applied the technology to optimize other components, including braking, cooling and exhaust systems.

Red Bull has been using engineering simulation software since its inception to overcome the continuous design challenges of Formula One racing.

“In the past, we introduced a design in March and maybe made two or three updates throughout the season,” says Nevey. “Today, the F1 circuit is so competitive that we’re iterating new ideas all the time to suit different track configurations and driving conditions. If we stopped updating the car, we’d very quickly find our competitors passing us.”

For more information, visit ANSYS.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.