The Race F1 Tech Show · The Race Media Ltd

The amazing tech that allowed Red Bull to go aggressive in 2024

·58 min·5 clips

ANSYS's simulation tools allowed Red Bull to prove radical designs before building the car.

This episode of The Race F1 Tech Show explores the simulation technology behind Red Bull Racing's aggressive 2024 car design. Host Ed Straw is joined by veteran F1 engineer Gary Anderson to analyze pre-season testing and technical developments. Their discussion centers on how computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools enabled Red Bull's radical RB20 concept. Gary Anderson notes modern F1 cars achieve near-100% reliability due to rigorous pre-production testing, like proof-loading suspension components. He recalls that in the Jordan team era, they used sandbags to load-test wings due to budget constraints. Fernando Alonso recently argued for more pre-season testing, especially for drivers changing teams like Lewis Hamilton. Anderson suggests new drivers should receive extra testing days to adapt to these complex machines. The hosts then introduce their main topic: the role of ANSYS CFD software in Red Bull's development process. Dr. Christophe Bianchi of ANSYS explains his company has collaborated with Red Bull for 15 years, pushing simulation tools to their limits. The 2022 ground-effect regulations required modeling combined physics of aerodynamics and thermal management. Bianchi states simulation allows thousands of virtual kilometers and exploration of weather conditions or driver-specific demands without physical prototypes. Red Bull's demand for speed led ANSYS to transition its software to GPU computing. He reveals ANSYS is incorporating machine learning and material intelligence for sustainability, tracking lifecycle data from design to recycling. Pierre Waché, Red Bull's Technical Director, says initial concept development relies heavily on CFD for its speed and detailed flow measurement. He admits the 2022 car experienced unexpected porpoising, but the team's tools allowed a quick reaction. Waché confirms strong correlation between simulation and track performance gave Red Bull the confidence to take risks with the 2024 car. He estimates their simulation correlation for lap time is between 99% and 100%. For the 2026 regulations, Waché predicts CFD will be fundamental during the limited pre-development period starting in January 2025. The tone is technical and educational, featuring insider perspectives from leading engineers. The style is conversational interview, blending expert analysis with historical anecdotes. F1 enthusiasts interested in car design, engineering, and simulation technology will find this episode deeply engaging. Listeners seeking race weekend drama or driver-focused stories might find the detailed technical discussion less appealing.

As heard by us

A technical look at how Red Bull's edge is shaped by simulation, testing, and ongoing development.

This episode frames Red Bull's early-season edge through the machinery behind it: simulation, development speed, and the way a car keeps changing over the year.

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