Aerodynamic evaluation of an active Rear Wing on a Formula Student Car: In collaboration with Chalmers Formula Student

Abstract

Aerodynamic downforce is a crucial attribute in motorsports as it increases the normal load on a vehicle, pushing it to the ground and allowing to reach higher speed and stability in corners and other transient maneuvers. When it comes to Formula Student competitions, the large amount of cornering scenarios and the overall similarities between vehicles make downforce one of the main variables that can turn a normal car into a winning car, making a huge difference in all events. This master’s thesis explores the potential implementation of an active rear wing on the 2025 Chalmers Formula Student car and analyzes its effects over the behavior of the vehicle, aiming at stating whether this can be a way to enhance the car’s performance and increase the team’s winning chances in all events. The project is carried over through Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations and vehicle dynamics calculations, and provides the reader with an overview of the consequences that tilting a wing has on a racing car.