What are Aero Rakes in F1? – The Scaffolding-like Structure Installed During Testing

Wind resistance is every Formula 1 team’s worst enemy. When it comes to gaining massive speeds and stability, the aerodynamics of a car matter the most, especially when you are cutting through the air at 220mph. The main element of an F1 car is its chassis and the shape of it makes all the difference. But how do the teams calculate the aerodynamics of an F1 car?

During the testing period of Formula 1, teams install a bunch of things to take readings from their cars from Aero Rakes to Flow-vis paint to calculate the aerodynamic data of the car. But how do these things help study the airflow around the car? For that, we need to understand what are Aero Rakes.

Aero rakes explained

While most aerodynamic tests are done within the wind tunnel, some tests need the harsh environment of the track to truly understand the car. For this, Aero Rakes are used during testing. These intricate structures, resembling a spider’s web of sensors and wires, have revolutionized the way teams gather crucial aerodynamic data. This data is analyzed by the aerodynamics team to figure out how to shape the car to gain more downforce and lesser resistance.

According to Team Williams Head of Aero Performance Yannick Ducret, Aero rakes are very important for the team. While explaining what Aero rakes do on the Williams racing website. Ducret states, “We do see what other people are doing to get the best and least intrusive aero rakes.” Explaining the history of them, he continued, “They’re called aero rakes because that’s how they started many, many years ago. They were only ever used in wind tunnels and they were just a rake with a line of probes that would swipe up and down or left to right to monitor the quality of airflow over a car.”

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Ducret mentioned how they reached their current status today by starting to run the sensors on the cars, transforming them into a real array rather than just a rake. This progression leads to their current utilization in the 2024 testing. The sensors on the “rakes” record information and transmit it to the team in real time. The aerodynamics team then assesses whether adjustments are necessary during a pitstop. However, there are instances when modifications must be made back at the garage, a process that can take some time, gradually refining things over the season.

But what areas of the car are they calculating data wind data from and what are the different places these rakes can be places?

The intricacies of the Aero Rakes

Aero Rakes are put on a car only during testing and can be placed literally everywhere on the car. The sensors measure dynamic pressure to provide data on various flow structures, including those from the front wing, front wheels, turning vanes, and the top body behind the diffuser. Understanding these structures is crucial for optimizing aerodynamic performance.

Modern technology allows for the quick processing of data from aero rakes, almost in real-time. Teams have developed software to analyze this data rapidly, generating images and video files for immediate action. Some data from aero rakes can be acted upon immediately during testing. For instance, teams can assess the performance of the front wing through a ‘front wing polar’ test, detecting any areas where downforce generation may be compromised.

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Aero rake data may also reveal fundamental aerodynamic issues that cannot be resolved on the track. These issues are then studied by the aerodynamics team to find solutions and optimize flow structures. As Formula 1 continues to push the boundaries of technological innovation, the role of Aero Rakes is poised to expand further. From their humble beginnings as experimental sensor arrays to their current incarnation as sleek, integrated components of Formula 1 cars, Aero Rakes have revolutionized the way teams gather crucial aerodynamic data. But this is not the only way teams gather Aerodynamic data during testing.

Introducing the Flow-vis paint

Another tool that is used to calculate and study the aerodynamics of a car is Flow-vis paint. This is an often bright color paint that is applied wet to areas of the car during pre-season testing. Flow-vis paint is used to understand how the wind moves along the car which is understood by how the paint flows on the car while driving it on the track.

This is a simple but effective approach as teams then upload the data from the Flow-vis paint to a computer. Teams can then understand and make a map of all the areas where wind resistance becomes an issue and fix it to reduce drag. These pre-season testing methods are carried out by each team in their own manner, according to their shortcomings. While aerodynamics is just one of the factors that play a role in a car moving faster, it’s a crucial one to cut the wind and generate downforce.

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That being said, have you noticed aero racks during pre-season testing? Did it confuse you the first time you saw it too? Let us know your experience of spotting them for the first time in the comments below.