CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is the use of computer simulation to model and analyse the flow of air around a Formula 1 car. CFD allows engineers to test thousands of aerodynamic configurations virtually, without the time and cost of physical wind tunnel testing. Modern CFD simulations can model the complex airflow around an entire F1 car with high accuracy. CFD is used alongside wind tunnel testing — CFD is faster and cheaper, while wind tunnels provide physical validation. The amount of CFD computing power available to teams is regulated by the FIA, with the same inverse allocation as wind tunnel testing.

CFD has been used in F1 since the 1990s, but computing power limitations initially restricted its usefulness. As computing power has increased exponentially, CFD has become increasingly important. The regulation of CFD computing power was introduced as part of the cost-cutting measures.