Supercomputing in F1 – Unlocking the Power of CFD

The highly sophisticated body shape of a modern Formula One (F1) car is dictated by
aerodynamic efficiency and performance. With numerous deflectors and external devices
added, the coupling and interaction between the front-end and rear-end of the car have become strong. Minute changes in geometrical details or car set-up can have a significant impact on car performance and, therefore, can result in success or failure. Such detail optimisation is accomplished in wind tunnels which increasing numbers of competitors in F1 runs 24 hours a day to discover that last fraction of performance gain. This level of finetuning is beyond the current CFD capabilities.
Still, though, this design evolution process through physical testing is somewhat of a heuristic method. The fundamental understanding and knowledge of the underlying physical mechanisms are not necessarily gained. The complexity and nature of F1 aerodynamics can only be fully understood through advanced and highly accurate CFD simulations.

With ever increasing simulation capacities, new horizons are opening up. New investments in computer hardware and CFD technology allow SAUBER PETRONAS to further explore and uncover even some of the most subtle flow phenomena responsible for fundamental changes in car behaviour, handling, and performance.

In recent years the automotive industry has experienced significant changes in the
development process for new vehicles in order to have:
a) Improved product performance and quality.
b) Reduced development costs.
c) Reduced lead-times and “time-to-market”.
The traditional Vehicle Development Process (VDP) has been replaced with a modern
approach that relies more on computational tools and simulations. In the early 90’s the automotive industry was running on an average 60 month VDP’s. Today, most major
automotive manufacturers are working to a VDP of 18 months or less (fast VDP). This
resulted from considerable effort that has been devoted to the development of computational methods, providing guidance in the design of various components of modern cars. The introduction of unstructured grid technology, accurate and robust numerical methods, and the availability of powerful parallel computers has acted as catalysts in the rapid acceptance of these approaches.


Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is now becoming a cornerstone in vehicle development and is extensively used throughout the complete process, from early concept phase to detailed analysis of a final product. Within the F1 industry, development lead-times have to be kept even shorter. In F1, not only a brand new race car is born before the start of every season, but intense development of the race car also continues throughout the season for every race, which takes place only two to three weeks apart. Hence, the importance of an efficient and fast development process becomes evident to keep up with such a demanding pace.

Smyrna 1922, Holocaytom

An unknown video, historical document the destruction of Smyrna in 1922, which was taken by George Magarian, saw the limelight by his grandson Robert Davidian, who discovered in his grandmother's house in New York, I.P . D, where it was forgotten for decades.

In this rare video documentary we get to see pictures of happy Izmir before the disaster, images of the burned land left behind by the ferocity of the Turks, and many others from the flight of fugitive, camps and effort survival in new homes. Towards the end even the 10-minute video can see the first homes built by refugees in Athens, probably in the New World.

The Robert Davidian, director, cameraman and producer of emissions, able to convert to digital and to salvage damaged before the video-documentary, which had attracted his grandfather in 35 mm film. Then upload to the Internet for free use, wanting to share with us all the historical moments of the destruction of Smyrna by the Turks, recorded by George Magarian.

The George Magarian was born in 1895 and studied at the American College of Konya in Asia Minor and later served as director of the Christian Organization YMCA Iconium. The video based on footage he took before and immediately after the destruction of Smyrna in 1922, and contained several shots from the refugee camps and the valuable assistance of Christian Organizations YMCA & YWCA (YMCA & IDUs) who provided them to find their feet .

The video begins with scenes of the happy period of Izmir before the disaster on the waterfront (where visible and the famous horse-drawn trams Smyrna moving), the French Quarter and the purchase of Izmir. Then there are shots of the burned city left behind by the ferocity of the Turks to come where we can see smoke from the embers. Boats filled with convoys of refugees sail for new homes (to Mytilene, Chios and other Greek islands and to Thessaloniki and Athens). Footage from Athens (in front of the Greek parliament today) and from Thessaloniki, where refugees have gathered tens of thousands seeking refuge. The mental anguish for the loss of loved ones is the only distraction of refugees from hunger. Refugee camps where the YMCA & YWCA distribute bread, milk, soup and clothing. Moving image of a lady, which shows the camera a newborn baby only 2 days which was abandoned on the steps in front of a church, but the images of refugees gathered around the tables posted information offices to seek their loved ones. The information broadcast by the YMCA & YWCA contributed to many cases of family reunification. Two ladies of the American YWCA distinguished record refugees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2B84CyLblk&feature=player_detailpage



Only 5% of refugees are healthy males, all others are old men, women and children who can not sustain themselves. Here are shots of destitute refugee children playing games and crowds waiting for medical examination. Towards the end of the video, about 8.30 minutes, divided the first homes built by refugees in Athens with bricks made of mud, makeshift camps, barracks, etc..