Oracle Red Bull Racing, Ansys Renew Partnership

Oracle Red Bull Racing renewed its partnership with Ansys for 3 years to remain the most competitive Formula 1 (F1) team in the world. Oracle Red Bull Racing will continue harnessing the power of Ansys technology to improve aerodynamics, manage material data and ensure structural safety of its cars in the 2024 season and beyond.

Ansys simulation solutions helped Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen make history in 2023, winning 21 out of 23 races and leading 1,003 laps. He secured the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships with a 413-point margin, leading Oracle Red Bull Racing’s team to a dominant season.

Oracle Red Bull Racing faced new challenges as it prepared for the 2024 season due to spending caps and wind tunnel testing time limits. Because they topped the championship last year, the team was allotted 4,200 hours of testing—300 hours less than the second-place team—for car upgrades throughout the season or to develop next year’s car. To maximize testing, Oracle Red Bull Racing relies on the predictive accuracy and speed of Ansys Fluent to achieve the optimal downforce and car aerodynamics.

The endurance of Oracle Red Bull Racing will also be tested in 2024, which is set to be the longest season in Formula 1 history. The additional races demand a more reliable car. To achieve this, the team uses Ansys Granta MI to manage material data and study how different materials performed in previous seasons to enhance the car’s shape and design. They also use Ansys LS-DYNA to conduct impact testing and assess the car’s safety.

“Ansys simulation software helped Oracle Red Bull Racing quickly adapt to the new F1 design guidelines last year and positioned us to maintain our technical leadership in a dramatically altered engineering landscape,” says Craig Skinner, chief designer, at Oracle Red Bull Racing. “To stay ahead of the curve, we need tools that adapt to changing regulations. Ansys is flexible and keeps pace with industry needs, and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership and utilizing enhanced offerings like Ansys Granta MI AI+, which will boost our material insights and help us develop the fastest and most reliable cars possible.”

The 2024 season began on February 29, 2024, at the Bahrain Grand Prix and will feature Oracle Red Bull Racing’s newest car, RB20.

“Ansys and Oracle Red Bull Racing demonstrate year after year that a combined commitment to engineering excellence translates to the racetrack,” says Shane Emswiler, senior vice president of products at Ansys. “Developing the RB20 in such a short time frame is a testament to the high fidelity and speed of Ansys simulation solutions. We look forward to seeing the car in action for another fantastic season.”

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