Formula One news

FIA to limit use of wind tunnel

The FIA has announced that there will be more aerodynamic testing restrictions from 2008. Teams will no longer be allowed to use more than one wind tunnel for example, nor are they allowed to run the wind tunnel with full-scale models.

The FIA came up with the following restrictions for F1 teams in 2008:
- Teams to use no more than one wind tunnel.
- Test fluid to be air at atmospheric pressure.
- Maximum test section wind speed 50m/sec.
- Maximum model scale 60%.
- No more than one model to be tested during a run.
- Maximum usage to be equivalent to 15 runs per 8 hour day on 5 days per week for team F1 purposes. Tunnel may be contracted out at other times.
- Aerodynamic testing may only take place in wind tunnels if at reduced scale or at FIA approved test tracks if full scale. Full size testing to be subject to the F1 testing agreement.
- Full scale specific aerodynamic testing is to be reduced to 5 days/year.
- Restrictions will be imposed to stop shift of resource from wind tunnel testing to CFD.
- The number of people involved in CFD development will be limited to a number to be agreed.
- CFD computer systems will be characterised in order to set hardware performance limits but growth will be allowed year-on-year to allow for hardware / software development.

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