Optimization of a 2-D Multi-Element Rear Wing on a Formula 1 Car

The aerodynamic force produced by external flows over two-dimensional bodies is typically decomposed into two components: lift and drag. In race cars, the lift is known as downforce and it is responsible for increasing tire grip, thereby enhancing traction and cornering ability. Drag acts in the direction opposite to the car’s motion, reducing its acceleration and top speed. The primary challenge for aerodynamicists is to design a vehicle capable of producing high downforce with low drag. This study aims to optimize the shape of a multi-element rear wing profile of a Formula 1 car, achieving an optimal configuration under specific prescribed conditions. The scope of this work was limited to a 2-D model of a rear wing composed of two 4-digit NACA airfoils. Ten control parameters were used in the optimization process: three to describe each isolated profile, two to describe their relative position, and two to describe the angles of attack of each profile. An optimization cycle by finite-differences was implemented, with the figure of merit being the maximization of the lift coefficient. In order to save computational effort, the viscous formulation was just used after obtaining an optimal design for inviscid flows. Besides, the turbulence model adopted in this work was the Spalart-Allmaras. Compared to the initial configuration, the optimized one showed significant improvements in aerodynamic performance, with increased downforce and reduced drag coefficient.